The Savannah River Site's manager said he takes pride in knowing that when President Barack Obama talks about capturing weapons material across the world, SRS has to be in the loop.
Dave Moody, who will retire next month, spoke about the Site's various missions Wednesday during a breakfast held by the Citizens for Nuclear Technology and Awareness.
SRS missions are divided into two groups: Environmental management work (which includes liquid-waste tank closures) and waste remediation, which together account for 55 percent of the work.
Defense missions under the National Nuclear Security Administration account for 45 percent of the work.
With the latter, Moody said, shipments of weapons material keep SRS in discussions on whether those materials could come to the Site.
"As the president is out trying to capture those materials, it's important to understand the important role SRS plays in that," Moody said.
Other topics discussed during Wednesday's breakfast included initiatives to create 1,000 jobs each year over the next decade to replace retired workers and keep the SRS workforce at about 11,000 employees.
Moody also talked about the budget outlook for the site.
The fiscal year 2016 budget pays attention to liquid-waste cleanup but cuts funding in spent fuel missions by about $8 million.
"Hopefully, as we arm wrestle a little bit with the budget, you'll see that priority on spent fuel and nuclear materials as well," Moody said.
Moody announced in November that he plans to retire in June after four years with SRS and 36 years with the Department of Energy.
His successor will be Jack Craig, who has 20 years of experience in various technical, management and executive leadership positions within the Department of Energy.
Clint Wolfe, the executive director of the Citizens for Nuclear Technology and Awareness, said Moody has served the community well during his time at SRS and that he will be missed.
"We're really looking forward to being a part of the community support that the Site will need to continue their outstanding record," Wolfe said.
Derrek Asberry is the SRS beat reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the paper since June 2013. He is originally from Vidalia, Ga., and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Follow him on Twitter @DerrekAsberry.