Congressman Staunch Supporter of DOE’s Cleanup Efforts
Mike Nartker
WC Monitor
2/14/2014
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.), one of the strongest supporters of the Department of Energy’s cleanup program in Congress, announced late this week that he will not seek re-election this fall. Hastings, whose district includes the Hanford site, was first elected to Congress in 1994 and is the founder and Chairman of the House Cleanup Caucus, which includes lawmakers that represent various DOE cleanup sites. “Two decades ago, the people of Central Washington first voted to place their trust in me to represent them in Congress. In the nine subsequent elections, I’ve been humbled to have been given the privilege to serve as their common sense voice and to work for solutions to improve our local communities and pursue a better, brighter future for our Nation,” Hastings said in a Feb. 13 release. “My ambition as a Congressman then and now has been the same: to do the best job I can to serve Central Washington. Last Friday, I celebrated my 73rd birthday and while I have the ability and seniority to continue serving Central Washington, it is time for the voters to choose a new person with new energy to represent them in the people’s House.”
Seth Kirshenberg, executive director of the Energy Communities Alliance, which represents local communities near DOE sites, praised Hastings for his efforts on behalf of the Department’s cleanup program this week. “Doc is a real leader in the House, in his home district and for all of the DOE sites,” Kirshenberg said in a written response to WC Monitor. “He formed and led the House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus and his leadership led to a significant amount of accomplishments by DOE in the cleanup arena. Further, he was a tireless advocate for communities.”
