For the first time ever, the SRS Community Reuse Organization and Savannah River Site management team have jointly received a 2016 Energy Sustainability Award, a prestigious Department of Energy recognition.

Each year, DOE acknowledges outstanding performances by sites and individuals who contribute significantly to government-wide programs. SRSCRO often uses excess and operating resources at SRS to benefit local communities — a positive example of sustainability.

Through the joint partnership, surplus government-owned items and no-longer needed equipment can be sold to augment DOE missions and promote local economic development. Prior to public advertising, those items also may be used to stimulate the business climate in a five-county area and initiate quality-of-life programs, if specific needs are identified.

Electronics, furniture, air conditioners, copper wire, generators and heavy equipment are commonly sold. Bolin Marketing Group, a local leader in the industrial surplus market, partners with SRSCRO on a subcontract basis to remove and sell assets from SRS.

“Maximizing reuse and recycle opportunities is key to a strong sustainability program,” said Sanford Loyd, SRSCRO Board Chairman. “SRS and SRSCRO expanded these opportunities in fiscal year 2015 with an “assets for services”
business arrangement that strengthens relationships between SRS and the community.

“I am very proud of the partnership between our organizations and the recognition of our program,” Loyd said. “By reinvesting money recouped from surplus and unused items, SRSCRO can help create jobs, sponsor new business
development and advocate for Site missions locally and regionally.”

Last year, DOE-SR and the Site’s management and operations contractor, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, worked with SRSCRO to disassemble 12 large transformers and four circuit breakers from a now-closed power plant at the
Site’s D Area. Recovered were 678,000 pounds of copper and other metals, and 56,921 gallons of transformer oil. SRSCRO also is removing fire retardant, office trailers, and refrigerant units, including icemakers, heating and ventilating components, refrigerators and water coolers.

In 2014, SRSCRO also disbursed nearly $1 million for infrastructure improvement projects in Aiken, Allendale and Barnwell in South Carolina and Richmond and Columbia counties in Georgia.