Mission and Functions of the Office of Environmental Policy and Assistance (HS-22)

(Reports to the Office of Nuclear Safety and Environment)

Mission

Work proactively with headquarters and field offices to foster continuous improvement and shape behavior in nuclear safety and environmental protection before incidents occur. Serve as a corporate technical assistance, coordination, and integration resource to support line organizations in the resolution of nuclear safety and environmental issues and management concerns. Provide high-quality, customer-oriented assistance that enables improved DOE program and field implementation of nuclear safety and environmental protection.

Functions

• Maintains a cadre of technical experts and provides assistance to Headquarters and field organizations in the effective and efficient implementation of the Department's nuclear safety and environmental protection requirements.
• Identifies Department-wide nuclear safety and environmental protection assistance needs and opportunities. Leads communication and information exchange networks to identify site-specific as well as systemic assistance needs, prioritize assistance activities, and resolve issues through direct interface with customers and stakeholders.
• Provides leadership and partners with other HSS offices in developing integrated strategies for evaluating cross-cutting nuclear safety and environmental protection issues with line management to determine the extent of issues, their causes, and actions needed to prevent recurrence.
• Provides assistance to headquarters and field organizations in understanding how to implement Departmental nuclear safety (10 CFR 830), radiation protection (DOE Order 5400.5), and environmental protection (DOE Order 450.1) requirements and related external requirements.
• Serves as the corporate assistance resource for interpretation and guidance on existing and emerging external environmental regulations on hazardous waste management and site cleanup (RCRA; CERCLA), pollution prevention and electronics stewardship, toxic chemical inventory reporting, cultural and natural resource protection (air, water, and biota), hazardous substance release response, and radiation protection.
• Serves as the corporate assistance resource for interpretation and guidance on existing and emerging nuclear safety requirements including requirements related to quality assurance, criticality safety, authorization basis, safety systems, and fire protection.
• Supports the development of national criteria and guidelines for application in emergency planning and response to radiological terrorist incidents.
• Supports the startup and restart of nuclear facilities by observing, advising, participating in, or assessing the Operational Readiness Review (ORR) process.
• Provides assistance in the Department's review and resolution of Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) recommendations.
• Develops and provides training on state-of-the art compliance and risk assessment tools to support DOE site operations, cleanup, and long-term stewardship.
• Partners with the National Training Center in developing user-friendly training and assistance materials and tools.
• Maintains a clearinghouse of internet-based guidance and assistance resources and tools, and lessons-learned, as a corporate resource for line management operations.
• Partners with national and international industry groups and organizations to keep apprised of state-of-the-art practices and initiatives that could facilitate continuous improvement and excellence in line management operations.
• Provides assistance to headquarters and field organizations on implementing Environmental Management Systems within Integrated Safety Management.
• Provides guidance and assistance on compliance with newly promulgated Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations and with the review of proposed CAA regulations applicable to DOE operations.

For additional information regarding this page or feedback on its content, please contact:

James O'Brian, Director, Office of Nuclear Safety and Environmental Assistance
Stephen Domotor, Deputy Director, Office of Nuclear Safety and Environmental Assistance