History

In April 1989, 10 governors wrote a letter to then-Secretary of Energy Watkins, to express their concerns regarding the management, cleanup, and disposal of radioactive and hazardous chemical wastes at Department of Energy (DOE) facilities within or adjacent to their states boundaries.

In May 1989, then-Secretary of Energy Watkins, invited each governor to appoint a representative to participate in the planning process for the Department's Five-Year Plan through membership in a State and Tribal Government Working Group (STGWG). The Secretary also invited representatives from the Yakama Indian Nation, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the National Association of Attorneys General to participate. STGWG first met in June 1989.

Former Under Secretary Paul Dabbar relays to Talia Martin of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes the importance and priority of STEM education, workforce development, and mentoring to DOE & the national laboratories and its significance to Native American tribes.
Former Under Secretary Paul Dabbar relays to Talia Martin of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes the importance and priority of STEM education, workforce development, and mentoring to DOE & the national laboratories and its significance to Native American tribes.

The Department of Energy provides funding for a single representative from each affected State and Tribe to participate in the meetings of the STGWG. In addition, DOE funds technical, administrative, and facilitation support to this body. The Department is funding STGWG support and participation through a cooperative agreement with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). For additional information, please visit the State and Tribal Government Working Group.

Participating Tribes and States

STGWG is composed of policy-level representatives of states and tribes that host DOE facilities or are otherwise impacted by activities at DOE facilities.  Its composition offers a unique perspective on issues such as long-term stewardship, tribal issues, transportation planning, nuclear waste and materials disposition, and deactivation and decommissioning activities.

STATES

State representatives are appointed by and represent the governors of member states.

  • California
  • Idaho
  • Kentucky
  • Missouri
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Washington
a.	State and Tribal Government Working Group and National Governors Association Federal Facilities Task Force members view operations in the Transuranic Storage Area Retrieval Enclosure during their tour.
a. State and Tribal Government Working Group and National Governors Association Federal Facilities Task Force members view operations in the Transuranic Storage Area Retrieval Enclosure during their tour.

TRIBES

Tribal representatives are appointed by the governing bodies of their respective tribes.

  • Cochiti Pueblo
  • Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
  • Consolidated Group of Tribes and Organizations
  • Jemez Pueblo
  • Nez Perce Tribe
  • San Ildefonso Pueblo
  • Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians
  • Seneca Nation of Indians
  • Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
  • Wanapum 
  • Yakama Nation

STGWG MEETINGS

STGWG members participate in semi-annual meetings with EM leadership to receive EM programmatic updates, address cleanup concerns, and help ensure that DOE facilities and sites are operated and cleaned up in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and protected tribal rights and interests. For additional information, please visit the State and Tribal Government Working Group.