The Department of Energy (DOE) in early October announced that USW International Vice President Roxanne Brown, who oversees our union’s efforts in nuclear and atomic energy, and directs our union’s public policy and legislative agenda, will be among new members of an influential board that will advise Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on key DOE policies and priorities.
The Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) analyzes various issues in-depth and makes recommendations to Granholm. DOE said the advisory panel is an important part of the agency’s strategy to improve its research and development efforts.
“I am very honored that Secretary Granholm asked me to serve on this important advisory board,” said Brown. “By having a seat at the table, our union can ensure that workers’ concerns are heard and addressed in DOE’s policies.”
As head of the union’s atomic sector, Brown chairs the USW’s Atomic Energy Workers Council, which was established in the early 1980s and consists of presidents and vice presidents from all USW local unions that have contracts with the Department of Energy.
Our union has worked closely with the DOE throughout multiple administrations to develop strategies, create policies and drive investments to benefit USW members in the manufacturing and atomic sectors. Brown’s appointment to this key advisory board will enhance our union’s ability to bring USW members’ voices to the table.
VP Brown will be the only union representative serving on Secretary Granholm’s advisory board, which is otherwise comprised of nuclear experts, manufacturers and representatives from utilities and academic institutions. Members of the board will serve two-year terms.
The board’s composition reflects the Biden administration’s focus on clean energy and climate jobs, as well as the rest of DOE’s mission, including nuclear security and waste cleanup. It will meet quarterly and hold its first meeting virtually on Oct. 28.