Greg Sosson, Associate Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Field Operations, participates in a panel discussion on methodology and nuclear and radiological safety during fuel debris retrieval at Fukushima Daiichi during the 9th International Forum on the Decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan.
Current International Engagements
To accomplish our mission, EM leverages best practices and lessons learned; and seeks innovative solutions to clean up nuclear legacy sites across the United States.
International Organizations
EM works with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Nuclear Energy Agency among others. EM also supports the U.S. State Department sponsored Joint Standing Committee on Nuclear Energy Cooperation, which provides the U.S. and partner countries with an opportunity to exchange information on nuclear policy and environmental remediation.
United Kingdom
Under a Statement of Intent (SOI), leaders from EM and the United Kingdom's (U.K.) Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) collaborate throughout the year to discuss program management, technical challenges, and technology capabilities needed to address the shared decommissioning challenges. The SOI has also resulted in informational exchanges focused on best practice and benchmarking activities related to materials management, startup and commissioning approaches, deactivation and decommissioning (D&D), tank waste sludge management, and waste treatment/disposal.
Canada
EM collaborates with the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) on radioactive waste management, decommissioning, and environmental restoration. Some of EM’s mission critical infrastructure is decaying rapidly and needs to be maintained and upgraded while other infrastructures need to be maintained in a safe state prior to D&D.
United Kingdom and Canada
In March 2020, EM, NDA, and AECL signed a Trilateral Agreement to further extend the international collaboration and create additional opportunities for leveraging of funding, exchange of personnel, and joint program reviews.
- The three countries continue collaborating on: In Situ Decommissioning as a viable approach for safe, accelerated, and cost-effective remediation of nuclear facilities;
- Best practices on design, construction, and operation of near surface disposal facilities;
- Benchmarking approaches to effective management and investment in infrastructure upgrades, repairs, and maintenance;
- Decommissioning of nuclear legacy clean-up sites in a sustainable manner through activities such as incentivizing the supply chain, ensuring socioeconomic benefit to communities, and achieving carbon net zero by 2050;
- Stakeholder engagement activities including challenges, lessons learned, and best practices.
Japan
EM provides technical expertise and support to Japan in addressing the environmental challenges resulting from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) accident. The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) and EM developed a draft roadmap to guide engagement on decommissioning and includes a series of bilateral workshops and other government-government and industry-industry engagements. EM coordinates the Network of National Laboratories for Environmental Management and Stewardship in providing technical support to Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power Company in modeling radionuclides dispersion in ocean from discharged water, in connection with the radiological impact assessment of discharge of the Advanced Liquid Processing System treated water from Fukushima Daiichi.
France
DOE’s relationship with France is important in the context of science, innovation research and collaboration on nuclear nonproliferation. DOE’s overarching cooperation mechanism for bilateral engagement with France is through the DOE/CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) Agreement for Cooperation. EM and the French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (ANDRA) collaborate on radioactive waste management and disposal activities.
Arctic Countries
The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum that provides a means for promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic States. EM works with the Arctic Council’s Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) Radioactivity Expert Group to ensure U.S. interests are represented and provides opportunities for EM experts to collaborate with other international experts on issues related to radiological monitoring around remediation sites. The AMAP geographical coverage extends from the High Arctic to the Sub-Arctic areas of Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark (Greenland and the Faroe Islands). Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden, and the United States.
DOE National Laboratories
DOE national laboratories have established ongoing partnerships in specific technical areas. One prominent example of this multi-national partnership with national labs, universities, and foreign counterparts is to better understand the long-term performance of nuclear waste glass. The team consists of representatives from Japan, France, Germany, Italy, U.K., Belgium, and U.S.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is leading a team involving Hanford, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Vanderbilt University, Washington State University, and the Luela University of Technology in Sweden to explore the performance of low activity waste glass by investigating natural erosion of ancient hillforts in Sweden.
Savannah River National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research and development center where accomplished scientists and engineers solve challenging environmental and national security problems, collaborates with international partners on technologies/test bed initiatives to advance the EM mission.
Additionally, through Strategic Partnership Projects DOE National Labs share their expertise, knowledge, lessons learned, and environmental technologies with other international organizations working to address environmental waste management concerns.
International Travel & Foreign Delegation Visits
EM enables international travel for EM employees and facilitates foreign delegation visits to the U.S. to engage with EM/DOE officials.
International News
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- Environmental and Legacy Management
- National Labs
- National Labs
- National Labs
- National Labs
April 25, 2023 -
- International Meetings and Forums
- Energy Justice
- Energy Justice
- Energy Justice
- Energy Justice
November 15, 2022
Contact
Leisa Pope
International Engagement
Leisa.pope@em.doe.gov