On March 10, the Trump administration nominated Timothy J. Walsh of Colorado for the position of EM assistant secretary (EM-1). Walsh is awaiting a confirmation decision by the U.S. Senate.
DOE-EM is responsible for the cleanup of the nation’s environmental legacy resulting from decades of nuclear weapons production and government-sponsored nuclear energy research.
The announcement: According to an April 9 email from the Energy Communities Alliance, an organization of local governments and communities affected by DOE sites, the leadership changes were announced by Jarrell in the following email to DOE-EM staff:
Dear Colleagues:
I’m honored to be named EM’s new principal deputy assistant secretary (PDAS). In this role, I will also serve as the acting head of EM until the Senate confirms President Trump’s nominee for EM assistant secretary, Tim Walsh.
This is an exciting time to take on this new role as EM is moving through a unique point in its mission. While we remain committed to meeting our core obligations, we are going beyond simply closing a legacy that began with the Manhattan Project to opening new doors for the communities near our sites to help advance U.S. energy security.
EM will play a significant role in helping Secretary Wright launch a new golden era for American energy and innovation. We know this is possible because of the results at sites like Oak Ridge, where successful cleanup has made resources available to help advance a host of new nuclear projects. I look forward to working with all of you and all our partners in the field, industry, and local, state, and tribal officials to help create new opportunities across our program as we continue to address environmental risks and financial costs for the government.
Additionally, I want to personally thank Dae Chung for his tenure as acting PDAS. Dae has been integral in helping us identify ways we can work smarter and faster to deliver more across the EM mission at a better value for American taxpayers. I look forward to continuing to work with Dae and the rest of the EM leaders at headquarters and across our sites.
Strong organizations don’t stand still, they evolve; and I know this is a period of change that will bring both challenges and opportunities. I’m inspired by your commitment to the mission and look forward to continuing to work with all of you to tackle our challenges, leverage the opportunities before us, and continue to make safe and effective progress that brings lasting benefits for our entire nation.
With a continued focus on safety and a drive for innovation, we can achieve so much thanks to your talents and dedication. My door is always open—your insights and experiences matter to me.
