Margaret S. Y. Chu


Served as the Director of Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management at the Department of Energy between March 2002 and February 2005. Nominated by President Bush to this Assistant Secretary position in November of 2001 and confirmed by the Senate in March of 2002.

Well recognized for her ”can do” attitude, and her exceptional strength in recognizing external trends, analyzing and developing solutions for large, complex problems involving technical, political, social and regulatory issues. Has the rare combination of abilities to create a vision, formulate the strategies as well as implement the necessary pragmatic tactics. Has extensive experience in successfully managing multidisciplinary projects, and in negotiating with customers, regulators and stakeholders, and is widely respected in the U.S. and internationally for her technical contributions and leadership in nuclear waste management. Her success is to no small degree also due to her exceptional ability to communicate and to motivate.

Received B.S. degree from Purdue University and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, both in Chemistry. Proficient in Chinese language (speaking, reading and writing).

Summary Biography

Director of Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM), Department of Energy (Washington, D.C., 2002 – 2005)
Responsibilities include preparing for the licensing and subsequent operation of the world’s first geological repository for the disposal of high-level waste and spent nuclear fuel at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Manage a total of 2,000 federal and contractor employees. The Director of OCRWM is frequently characterized as one of the most difficult positions in the Federal Government.
· Contributed to the successful siting of Yucca Mountain Repository through Congressional Joint Resolution.
· Increased the program budget by 60% to $577M/year since FY02, and developed roadmap for major life-cycle cost reduction.
· Recruited a new team of leadership, resulted in a renewed sense of mission to the program and successfully transformed the program from a science project to a disciplined operational-ready nuclear project.
· Completed Draft License Application (5,000 pages) in November 2004.
· Issued record of decision for Nevada Rail Line as part of readiness for transportation of radioactive waste.
· Significantly enhanced credibility and trust with regulators and external stakeholders.
· Received the Secretary’s Gold Award, Department of Energy’s highest honorary award, in January 2005.

Director of Nuclear Waste Management Program Center, Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque, NM., 1998 – 2001)
· Led the successful certification of the first operating licensed deep geologic repository for defense, transuranic waste, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
· Led and managed professional staff conducting R&D in providing integrated solutions to global nuclear waste management problems including significant international collaborations.
· Led the development and the successful deployment (post 9/11) of anti-anthrax decontamination agents.
· Received Sandia’s highest employee recognition (NOVA) award.

Other Work Experience at Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque, NM., 1980 – 1998)
· Manager, WIPP Deputy Manager and Technical Integration Department (1995-1998)
Responsibilities include the integration of all technical activities for WIPP Compliance Certification Application.
· Manager, Environment Risk Assessment and Waste Management Department (1991-1995)
Initiating and managing R&D projects for the remediation and management of nuclear, chemical and mixed wastes.
· Project Leads (1980-1991)

- Supporting the development of NRC’s technical rules (10 CFR 60) and EPA’s environmental standards (40 DFR 191) for disposal of high-level nuclear wastes.
- Developing site ranking system for mixed hazardous and radioactive waste site for DOE defense mixed wastes.
- Performing system analysis and concept evaluation of mega-watt space reactors.

National Institute of Health Postdoctoral Fellow, Thomas Jefferson University, (Philadelphia, PA., 1973-1976)