The state of Washington has picked an experienced environmental law attorney to lead the Hanford Site regulatory work at the Department of Ecology’s Nuclear Waste Program. Alex Smith will start work in the Richland office as program manager on April 18, replacing Jane Hedges, who retired at the end of February. Tom Tebbs will continue as acting program manager through April 15. “Alex brings a wealth of regulatory and legal experience in both the public and private sector, including assisting with some work on Hanford as former lead attorney for Ecology’s hazardous waste and toxics reduction program,” said Polly Zehm, Ecology deputy director, in an announcement Monday. “One of the qualities that really impresses me about Alex is her commitment to fair and transparent communications with partners and stakeholders.” She was one of seven candidates interviewed for the position, including internal and external candidates.
Smith worked briefly as the senior attorney for the Port of Seattle after serving as the director of environmental programs for the Port of Olympia from 2011 to 2015. In that role she oversaw cleanup of contaminated sites at the port and was responsible for the port’s compliance with environmental regulatory requirements. She managed the design, permitting, and construction of several port projects. From 2000 to 2008 she was an assistant attorney general for the state of Washington, serving in both its Ecology and Natural Resources departments. She assisted with regulatory enforcement in front of the Pollution Control Hearings Board, including enforcement actions brought against the Department of Energy at Hanford. She also has worked as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice and in private practice, representing clients on site cleanup and resource damage claims in the Seattle area. “I am excited to join the team at Ecology and get to work on this incredibly important cleanup effort,” Smith said in a statement Monday. Smith said she looks forward to collaborating with DOE, the Environmental Protection Agency, the local community, tribes, and stakeholder groups to ensure a safe, timely, and effective cleanup of Hanford.
