On March 29, 2018, Anne Marie White of Michigan was sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management (EM) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
“As Assistant Secretary, White will provide leadership to continue the safe cleanup of the environmental legacy brought about from five decades of nuclear weapons development and government-sponsored nuclear energy research,” states the DOE press release announcing the swearing in. “She will work closely with communities that have partnered with DOE and its predecessor agencies for many decades.”
“It is an honor to serve as Assistant Secretary of Energy for EM,” White said. “I look forward to the challenges ahead and know that with the talented federal staff, our dedicated workers in the field, and the support of a wide array of stakeholders, we will deliver the EM mission safely and cost effectively.”
Overview
White is the founder of Bastet Technical Services, LLC — a consulting firm that has been engaged in providing strategic solutions to solve complex environmental challenges across the DOE complex. She has more than 25 years of experience across a broad range of activities within the nuclear field, mainly focused on project and program management projects with complex technical, regulatory, and stakeholder challenges.
“She has industry-recognized credentials in technical skills that lead to sound, technically underpinned, cost effective solutions,” stated an earlier announcement. “She has extensive hands on in the field experience at many of the Environmental Management sites for which she will have responsibility.”
White, who has supported a number of emerging nuclear power nations to develop legal and regulatory structures and national policies, received a Master’s Degree of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Background
On January 3, 2018, the White House announced President Donald J. Trump’s intent to nominate White to be the EM Assistant Secretary. On March 22, 2018, White was confirmed for the position by voice vote of the U.S. Senate.
Since June 2017, James Owendoff has been serving as the Acting EM-1 Assistant Secretary. In this role, Owendoff has focused on more timely decisions on cleanup projects.
The position was previously held by Monica Regalbuto at the end of the administration of former-President Barack Obama.
For additional information, please contact Douglas Tonkay, Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Disposal, at (301) 903-7212 or at Douglas.Tonkay@em.doe.gov or go to www.energy.gov.