On Monday, March 11, 2019, the Department of Energy (DOE) rolled out its fiscal year (FY) 2020 budget request, which includes approximately $303 million for the Office of Legacy Management (LM). This FY 2020 budget request is approximately $144 million above the FY 2019 enacted. LM expects to transition another 11 sites into the long-term stewardship program between FY 2019 and FY 2020. This increase also includes a joint proposal by DOE and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to consolidate funding and budgetary planning for the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). Under this proposal, LM would assume responsibility for the FUSRAP budget from the Department of the Army and in accordance with a proposed statutory mandate. DOE will enter into an agreement to fund USACE on a reimbursable basis to continue on-the-ground efforts, coordination, and remediation of all the remaining sites in the program.

“Legacy Management will continue to keep the promises made to our Cold War communities and former workers, optimizing every dollar entrusted to us to meet our mission. In 16 years we have gone from 33 sites to almost 100 sites into stewardship to protect human health and the environment. Our collaboration with the USACE is one of the best partnerships in the federal government,” stated LM Director Carmelo Melendez.

The LM FY 2020 request provides the resources necessary for LM to continue the following mission-related activities: 

• Leverage core competencies of USACE and DOE for environmental assessment, remediation, stewardship, technical depth, and program management.
• Perform long-term surveillance and maintenance at 103 sites.
• Provide funding for payment of post-retirement benefits to more than 10,000 former DOE contractor employees.
• Strengthen cybersecurity efforts.
• Pursue beneficial reuse of properties.
• Manage infrastructure and facilities at LM sites.
• Manage the Environmental Justice Program.
• Engage the public and perform education and outreach with stakeholders and communities in proximity to our sites.
• Continue to preserve records and information systems in compliance with the Federal Records Act.
• Support an interagency agreement to address abandoned defense-related uranium mines.

The amount of funding requested is sufficient for LM to be mission capable, address its current site responsibilities, plan requirements going forward, and perform current FUSRAP activities. 

More information on the LM FY 2020 budget request is available at:

https://www.energy.gov/cfo/downloads/fy-2020-budget-justification