DOE EM Information Related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Overview of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed
into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009. It is an unprecedented
effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a
down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive
in the 21st century. The Recovery Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike
any since the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation's
infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities,
preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect
those in greatest need.
Implementing the Recovery Act
DOE EM received $6 billion, which will bring thousands of jobs to states across our
nation, as the Department accelerates environmental cleanup work. Projects identified
will focus on accelerating cleanup of soil and groundwater, transportation and
disposal of waste and cleaning and demolishing former weapons complex facilities.
Agency Plans and Reports
As plans are finalized for specific projects, information will be added to this webpage.
In addition, regular project progress reports will also be included.
Learn More About Our Programs
DOE is responsible for the risk reduction and cleanup of the environmental legacy of the
Nation's nuclear weapons program, one of the largest, most diverse and technically
complex environmental programs in the world.
"We are proud to be one of the first organizations to launch recovery plans, creating
jobs that will accelerate our environmental cleanup priorities, and make land available
for future beneficial uses," said Assistant Secretary Dr. Inés Triay. "Our ability to
quickly implement projects for cleanup is a direct result of the strategic planning completed
by the Department earlier this year, following extensive coordination with our regulators,
states and communities."
In January 2009, the Department completed and presented to Congress
a comprehensive plan assessing initiatives to accelerate the reduction of environmental risks
and challenges posed by the legacy of the Cold War. That plan positioned the Department to
quickly and efficiently assess project available for recovery funds. The report, "Status of
Environmental Management Initiatives to Accelerate the Reduction of Environmental Risks and
Challenges Posed by the Legacy of the Cold War," is publicly available at
http://www.em.doe.gov/pdfs/NDAA%20Report-(01-15-09)a.pdf
Each project considered has the ability to show significant accomplishment by the end of fiscal year 2011.
"At some sites, we will be able to accelerate cleanup and close the site by 2011,"
said Triay. "At other sites, we will significantly reduce the area of contamination.
This acceleration not only creates jobs, but provides future cost savings to the
government as sites and areas are closed earlier than planned."
The Recovery Act requires an appropriately significant degree of accountability and transparency,
and all progress will be tracked and reported to the President and the American people.
President Obama has implemented a website, Recovery.gov  ,
to provide the public with information regarding progress.
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