Final Meeting of Secretary Watkins and DOE Advisory Board

“When I assumed responsibility as Secretary of Energy four years ago, the Department was a rudderless ship.” - DOE Secretary Admiral James Watkins

So began the 48-page 1993 “Posture Statement” distributed at the January 8 meeting of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board. The statement and meeting discussion summarized DOE’s accomplishments, and yet unresolved issues.

The January 8 agenda, reflecting some of the changes to DOE’s mission in the last four years, centered on math/science education, space nuclear propulsion, economic analysis, and radioactive waste management. There was minimal discussion about DOE’s basic research programs, even though its basic research program budget alone exceeds that of all of NSF. The Posture Statement cites DOE’s efforts in the last four years to set basic research priorities in high energy physics, nuclear physics, and fusion research, citing the work of the Townes task force. Mention of the SSC is confined to four sentences, noting that “the project is on schedule and budget.” In looking ahead to the 21st century, the next-to-last paragraph in the statement commented, however, that:

“One of the most pressing future issues in government will be how to manage the large Federal R&D investment in the most effective way to achieve a better and more prosperous society. There have been calls by many to emphasize applied research in government to a much greater extent, presumably at the expense of basic research. While the U.S. Government should realize maximum pay-off to society of its investment in basic research, an abrupt shift of resources at the expense of long-term research is not in the best interests of the Nation. We must continue to explore the frontiers of science. The answers to many of the problems facing the 21st Century lie in the work being performed now in the Department’s National Laboratories” (for which “prudence” was counselled in making changes.)

During the meeting there was considerable discussion of DOE’s education efforts. Watkins declared that “we are making a difference,” and while saying good things about President-elect Clinton, cautioned that pressure should be kept up to ensure this program does not fall “between the cracks.” Also covered was defense waste management efforts, accounting for nearly 1/4 of the current DOE appropriation. It is conservatively estimated that the program could cost $200 billion over the next 25-30 years. A December draft final report on improving the public’s trust of DOE’s handling of radioactive waste was discussed at length. Watkins expressed displeasure with unnamed interests who he characterized as misusing the intent of environmental law, saying that they have interacted without good faith.

As the Posture Statement and Advisory Board meeting discussion indicate, DOE has been put on a new course by Admiral Watkins, but it is also clear that the destination(s) will be reached by his successors over many years to come. Watkins is scheduled to meet today with incoming Energy Nominee Hazel Rollins O’Leary.