The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) has formally informed Secretary of Energy Chris Wright that the board plans to remain active on safety despite being down to a single member.
The DNFSB’s acting chair, Thomas Summers, left the small agency when his term ended Oct. 18. The Summers’ exit leaves Patricia Lee as the only member of what is supposed to be a five-person board at full strength.
“Despite this transition, we assure you that the board’s dedicated staff will continue to execute the safety oversight mission as required by the Atomic Energy Act,” DNFSB said in the letter,” which also copied the heads of DOE’s Office of Environmental Management, Tim Walsh, and the semiautonomous National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Brandon Williams.
“The board remains steadfast in its commitment to providing DOE independent analysis and advice to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety, including the health and safety of employees and contractors at DOE’s defense nuclear facilities,” according to the DNFSB letter.
“The board remains committed to fostering a collaborative partnership with the DOE to support the department’s vital mission,” according to DNFSB’s letter, dated Oct. 17. “To that end, we respectfully emphasize the importance of DOE’s continued adherence to its obligations under the Atomic Energy Act, including the timely response to open board information requests, reporting requirements and recommendation deliverables.”
The DNFSB informs Congress every six months of any safety board information requests denied by DOE, according to the letter. The next such DNFSB report to Congress is scheduled for Jan. 1, 2026.