Aiken, S.C. – Over 40 educators, community leaders, and student interns recently visited the University of South Carolina Aiken (USC Aiken) for the Teaching Radiation, Energy and Technology (TREAT) Workshop.
Held annually by the Department of Energy (DOE) Savannah River Operations Office for nearly 30 years, the TREAT Workshop is funded by an environmental justice grant.
“Our goal with this long-standing environmental justice initiative is to educate attendees on radiation, DOE missions and the benefit of having a strong relationship with SRS,” said James Tanner, DOE Public Accountability Specialist.
Partnering with Savannah State University (SSU), the DOE’s program aims to educate Central Savannah River Area teachers and community leaders about environmental radiation, safety, education outreach programs, job training skills, environmental monitoring and emergency preparedness.
“Our hope is that attending educators take this information back into the classroom to inspire hundreds of students, year after year,” Tanner said.
Attendees were welcomed by Melinda Downing, DOE-Headquarters Environmental Justice Program manager, manager Mike Budney of the DOE-Savannah River Operations Office, Chancellor Daniel Helmmermann of USC Aiken, and Lessie B. Price of the Aiken City Council.
“TREAT workshops are a collaboration of academia, DOE, and its contractors and regulators who come together for the purpose of education and progress,” Budney said. “DOE is proud to be on this team. We are grateful for these knowledge-sharing exchanges that help open doors for career opportunities for students and future leaders.”
Environmental Monitoring Program scientist Colleen Davis presented air and fish surveillance information and showed electrofishing equipment to participants.
The SRS Environmental Monitoring Program is responsible for confirming compliance with applicable regulations and DOE orders, in addition to monitoring any effects that SRS operations may have on the environment.
“Presenting at the workshop allows for us to discuss environmental monitoring from the standpoint of how we measure the health of our environment and how this surveillance aids in determining dose and risk assessments to members of the surrounding community,” Davis said. “We assured the public of their safety living near the site and the absence of increased radiation exposure risks from our operations.”
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) Education Outreach’s Kim Mitchell, Taylor Rice and Cindy Hewitt provided an overview of their programs.
“This was a great way for teachers to learn about all the education opportunities offered by SRNS and how SRNS Education Outreach works to meet the needs of education communities in the CSRA and Orangeburg County,” said Rice.
Additional speakers included:
- Kyle Bryant, Environmental Protection Agency, “EPA’s EJ and Climate Resilience Grants and Resources.”
- Jon Richards, SRS Federal Facility Agreement Remedial Project Manager, “United States Environmental Protection Agency.”
- Rev. Alexander Pope of Aiken, “Environmental Justice 101.”
- SRNS Radiological Control Jamellia Reid and Skip Johnson, “Radiation 101.”
- SRNS Emergency Operations Greg Hightower and Glenn Duffer, “Savannah River Emergency Response.”
In addition, experts from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, SRS Citizens Advisory Board and Aiken City Council came together to teach, answer questions and share potential career opportunities.
“Our aim is for attendees to leave this workshop having a clearer understanding of SRS missions and feel confident in our commitment to safety, community engagement, and environmental stewardship,” Tanner said.
