Presentations, topics and workshops held in 2009 have included:

  • Jon Peschong, DOE Hanford Richland Operations Office, Project Director for administering the AARA stimulus program accelerated clean-up funds.
    • Discussed the focus of spending the funds and the associated schedule.
  • Engineers Without Borders
    • Presented by Lisa Dukes and Brian Peters of Tetra Tech. The organization is organizing a local chapter. Their purpose is to provide work that can be sustainable by the receiving third world community. Many of the projects involve the delivery, sanitation, and/or the distribution of water. Their motto is “sustainable engineering for global health.” Paul Frazier is available to give “brown bag” presentations to any companies interested in the program.
  • Larry Haler, District Representative to the Washington State Legislature
    • Rep. Haler held the first annual Energy Day in Olympia (state capital), and due to its success is planning the second event next year; he invited interested members to set up a display. He is working to gain support for the nuclear industry from the west side of the state by giving in-depth tours of the Hanford Site which facilitate understanding the work done here. Discussion continued regarding sustainability and diversity beyond the end of Hanford.
  • John Lehew, President of CH2MHill Plateau Remediation Contract (CHPRC).
    • CHPRC is the major recipient of ARRA stimulus funds. John presented CH2MHill’s plans for subcontracting utilizing these funds.
  • Special Session on the Status of the Energy Parks Initiative/Opportunities
    • Many interested parties need to develop a unified vision to drive it forward. There is currently no national energy-architecture for nuclear power or the energy sector in general. Power is a national security matter and should be run by a central authority (not each state independently). Regionally we have the potential to lead the way. Our local agenda is to gain visibility and credibility. Nuclear Energy should be re-branded as Clean Energy. The logical use for Hanford Site Transition is an Energy Park.
  • Frank Figueroa, President of the Mission Support Alliance (MSA) contract for Hanford.
    • Frank outlined the future plan for the MSA contract and the subcontracting requirements for his organization.
  • Dr. Birgitte Ahring, Director Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory (BSEL), and Chancellor Vicky Carwein from WSU-TriCities
    • Dr. Keith Thompson, WSU-TriCities Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory (BSEL) Manager of Operations and Research, filled in last minute for Dr. Brigitte Ahring the Director of BSEL. Dr. Thompson, who has worked closely with Dr. Ahring, gave an interesting presentation on biofuels that use a waste products (biomass) extraction process—a “carbon slaughterhouse” that extracts more value from the original product. Biomass does not compete with foodchain crops as it utilizes products such as wheat straw and organic matter in solid waste (landfill).
  • Lori Mattson, Regional Chamber of Commerce
    • Ms. Mattson contacted the TLBA after seeing AN advertisement and editorial in the Tri-City Herald. Ms. Mattson stated that the Chamber has 1,350 member businesses—4th largest in the state. She discussed collaboration opportunities with the Public Policy Committee and Legislative Council.
Focused Discussion Item meetings:
  • Partnering with WSU re: DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for up to $200 million over six years (FY 2009 – FY 2014), subject to annual appropriations, to support the development of pilot and demonstration-scale biorefineries including the use of feedstocks such as algae and production of advanced biofuels such as bio-butanol, green gasoline and other innovative biofuels.
  • Guest: Colleen French, DOE Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, and possibly Greg Jones, AM for Admin/Budget/Procurement, discussion re: worker placement, making subcontracting more of a win-win, use of staff augmentation contracts, future land use, energy parks, pension issues, surplus facility/asset utilization (such as FMEF), etc.