Next DOE chief critical for SRS

The resignation of Spencer Abraham as Energy Secretary points to a critical moment for the future of new missions at the Savannah River Site.

Abraham was seen as an SRS supporter who recognized the value of the Site to the country. He saw the importance of SRS, its infrastructure, its personnel and its community support as assets which other DOE facilities did not all share.

Under his watch the Savannah River National Laboratory received its new status, and hydrogen technology research began to take off. The troubling aspect of getting a new DOE chief is that it will take awhile for that person to get to know SRS and the rest of the DOE complex, learn about missions on the horizon and work to determine appropriate jobs for appropriate sites. The learning curve is steep, and there is much at stake here at SRS and at the other DOE facilities.

We are hopeful that President Bush will find a capable, open-minded individual to follow in Abraham's footsteps. We also hope that that person will quickly recognize the importance of SRS and provide the Site with opportunities to support the DOE mission.

Copyright © 2003, The Aiken Standard