Political science professor named chair of nuclear advisory board

Dr. Gregg Murray, professor of political science in Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, has been elected chair of the Savannah River Site Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), a position he will hold for the next two years.

The CAB provides the U.S. Department of Energy’s assistant secretary for the Office of Environmental Management (EM) with advice, information and recommendations on issues affecting the EM program at various sites, including the Savannah River Site.

“The position is important to me because it gives me a chance to use my expertise in government to help our community and region address a long-term challenge — completing the safe cleanup of the environmental legacy of decades of nuclear weapons development and government-sponsored energy research conducted at SRS,” said Murray. “The issues the board addresses have major implications for the future well beyond my lifetime and that of our students and their children as well.”

The CAB plays an integral role in advising the EM on such issues as clean-up standards and environmental restoration, stabilization and disposition of non-stockpile nuclear materials, waste management and disposition, future land use and long-term stewardship, risk assessment and management, and clean-up science and technology activities.

Murray’s duties include serving as the official public spokesperson for the CAB with regard to issues and policy recommendations.

“My goal for the next two years are to increase public engagement with the CAB and public knowledge and understanding of SRS through the board,” added Murray.

The CAB, a nonpartisan stakeholder board, has a membership that reflects a diversity of viewpoints in the community and region and includes those who are directly affected by site clean-up activities.