Click here for an archived PDF of the Q1 2025 email newsletter.
Message from the Outgoing Chair
Good March to you all, TRTR, and best wishes for a wonderful spring.
This past season has certainly been filled with its challenges, and unfortunately, there does not seem to be a close end in sight. Uncertainty and unrest are rather strong in many groups and parts of the country, with the federal workforce and our nuclear facilities included in that population. We here at the USGS TRIGA Reactor have been approached about cutting our budget by 10%, 20%, and even up to 40%, have lost the ability to travel and effectively purchase anything, and decommissioning our facility is a very active topic. Some creative, alternative solutions have been proposed, but nothing is certain. This also extends to our colleagues at the NRC, as they are likely to see substantial budgetary constraints and unusual consequences from recent executive orders, particularly those regarding independent regulatory agencies. I would encourage you all to exercise additional compassion and patience as our regulator adapts to this changing landscape, further complicating an already challenging spectrum of duties.
Related to the subject of uncertainty, I’m sorry to announce that I will be retiring as TRTR Chairperson, effective April 1st. Though I’m extremely pleased that Dr. Cameron Goodwin has agreed to take the position earlier than scheduled and know that she will accomplish well beyond what I have. This decision comes from both many personal and professional challenges that I now face, substantially related to the state of our small reactor facility and changes in the federal government. I have not been able to dedicate as much time and effort to my duties as Chair as I had hoped and regret the lack of progress that I was able to achieve. If the oncoming chair would agree, I would like to continue to serve on your Executive Committee (though I think she might be OK with this).
Please continue to value the differences that make us such unique, excellent people and an exceptional community, as we would be poorer for the absence of any.
Jonathan Wallick
Message from the Incoming Chair
Hello TRTR Community!
I am excited to step into the role of Chair a bit early and I want to thank Jonathan for all
of his hard work and all of his continuing contributions to the community. If I haven’t had
the pleasure of meeting you yet, I am the Director at the Rhode Island Nuclear Science
Center and have been a part of the community for 11 years and was previously chair
from 2017-2018.
It’s an exciting time for our community with the recent NPUF rule becoming a reality and
the continued growth and interest in research and test reactors. While this transition
may be happening ahead of schedule, I’m confident that together, we will navigate this
with the same dedication, resilience, and enthusiasm that have always been the
hallmark of our community. I look forward to collaborating with all of you in the months
ahead as we continue to advance the vital work we do.
I believe that collaboration and communication are fundamental to our community and I
hope to see participation in the community continue to grow. Please do not hesitate to
reach out to the executive committee with any issues or concerns you are facing.
Chances are someone else is facing the same thing.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the community!
Respectfully,
Cameron Goodwin
