Organized By
The National Governors Association
Federal Facilities Task Force


 ECA - Energy Community Alliance The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) is an organization of local communities that have major DOE installations as neighbors. Established in 1992, ECA brings together local government officials in energy communities to share information, establish policy positions, and advocate community interests in the DOE arena. ECA is the only organization dedicated solely to meeting the broad-ranging needs of energy communities.Through ECA representation, member communities have learned that with a common purpose they can make gains that would not be possible by working alone.



ECA's Long Term Stewardship Projects and Activities
Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) members will conduct several peer meetings to discuss the potential role of local governments in long-term stewardship at Department of Energy (DOE), facilities. ECA held its first meeting in Grand Junction, Colorado and plans to hold at least two additional meetings to scope out the specific roles at specific sites. This study should educate local governments on long term stewardship issues, educate state and federal government officials on the potential role of local governments when selecting remedies, and ensure that local, state and federal government officials communicate on these important issues that impact local communities. ECA also believes that one of these meetings would be a joint state and local government meeting.

Products
Practical Implementation of LTS
The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and ECA are beginning a project 1 to analyze the practical implementation of the legal authorities available to the local governments, states, DOE, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and citizens in order to implement long-term stewardship activities at DOE facilities.

Several studies have been conducted on the legal mechanisms that may be available in various states. However, none of the studies have reviewed the practical implementation of the legal mechanisms. This study should be instructive to all parties that are required to implement or are interested in implementing long-term stewardship activities as a way to ensure protection of human health and the environment at sites. ELI and ECA will focus on the following issues:
  • Federal Statutes and Regulations
  • State Constitutions
  • State Statutes and Regulations
  • Local Ordinances and Permits
  • Local Real Estate Practices
  • Zoning Law and Procedures
  • Title Insurance
  • Title Searches and Reporting Procedures
  • DOE, EPA, NRC Guidance
ELI and ECA will review the specific issues, as outlined above, at two specific DOE facilities. The legal tools available to implement LTS at the two DOE facilities will be analyzed and ELI and ECA will interview key real estate professionals and state and local government officials to develop a "how-to" guide for each site. These two case studies and the process utilized to identify the tools available to implement long-term stewardship will be instructive for local, state and federal governments and citizens and ensure that each party understands the authority, practical implementation, and limits of the legal tools when selecting remedies at sites.

1 This project is a follow-up to ELI and ECA's report entitled the Role of Local Governments in Long-Term Stewardship at DOE Facilities
 

 
Back To Home Page    
Back To LTS Participants