March 17, 2014

DOE’S HUIZENGA NOW ‘SENIOR ADVISOR’ FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

By ExchangeMonitor

With his acting status as Assistant Energy Secretary for Environmental Management coming to an end today, David Huizenga has now been given the title of “Senior Advisor for Environmental Management” at the Department of Energy. The title change, which is set to have little impact on the day-to-day management of EM, was announced in a message to employees yesterday. “As many of you know, the time line set by the Federal Vacancies Reform Act for someone to serve as the acting Assistant Secretary for EM expires this week. In order to keep the focus on advancing our mission-critical work, I have asked Dave to take a position as the Senior Advisor for Environmental Management, where he will continue to manage the EM program. As the Senior Advisor for Environmental Management, Dave continues to have my full confidence and support to make decisions and direct EM’s operations both at Headquarters and in the field,” Secretary of Energy Steven Chu said.

Huizenga was named in early July to serve as acting DOE cleanup chief after Assistant EM Secretary Ines Triay stepped down from the position, and his acting status was set to expire on Feb. 14. There had been heavy speculation that the White House would formally nominate Huizenga to the U.S. Senate to hold the Assistant Secretary position full-time, but to date the White House has taken no move to fill the vacancy. To date, Huizenga has generally received solid marks for his management of the DOE cleanup program. “Dave has focused on achieving management and scientific excellence throughout EM, and we are already starting to see the benefits for the American people and the communities around each of our sites,” Chu said. Huizenga came to DOE’s cleanup program from the National Nuclear Security Administration, where he last served as Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation. Huizenga was no stranger to EM, though, having previously held the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Integration and Disposition.

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