Perma-Fix Chief Executive Officer to Receive 2016 Hodes Award for Innovative Efforts in Solving LLRW Management Challenges in the United States

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ATLANTA, GA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/02/16 -- Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: PESI) today announced that The Southeast Compact Commission has selected Louis F. Centofanti, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc., as recipient of the 2016 Richard S. Hodes, M.D. Honor Lecture Award-a program that recognizes an individual, company, or organization that has contributed in an innovative way to improving the technology, policy, or practices of low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) management in the United States. 

Dr. Centofanti will receive the award and present a lecture on Monday, March 7, during the 2016 Waste Management conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference is sponsored by WM Symposia and will be held from March 6 - 10, 2016 at the Phoenix Convention Center.

In his presentation, Dr. Centofanti plans to discuss:

  • development of treatment standards for radioisotopes;
  • defining construction standards for LLRW landfills;
  • redefining the regulatory framework for High Level Waste.

The Southeast Compact Commission stated, "Dr. Centofanti is being recognized for his innovative efforts in solving LLRW management challenges in the United States by developing critical new technologies, facilities, and resources for the nuclear industry. His efforts have improved radiation health, safety, and security throughout the nation and provided safe disposition of waste that did not previously have disposal pathways. His creative work clearly exemplifies the spirit and commitment that the Hodes Award is intended to recognize."

Dr. Centofanti stated, "I am honored that the Commission has recognized me as a leader in the field of waste management; however without the tireless dedication of the employees of Perma-Fix, this opportunity would not be possible. I look forward to sharing my thoughts at the WM16 Conference concerning the current state of nuclear waste management and the lack of a clear and consistent regulatory framework that has led to a lack of public confidence in radioactive waste disposal practices. I believe that public and political acceptance of nuclear energy is dependent upon getting this right. I think we should not only require processing of hazardous constituents, but also the radionuclides present in radioactive waste to enhance disposal cell performance."

Dr. Centofanti continued, "I also plan to discuss how Perma-Fix has successfully treated and dispositioned some of the most challenging mixed wastes in the U.S. by adapting existing technologies and collaborating with waste generators to understand their treatment needs, regulatory requirements, and disposal site limitations. Our success was accomplished by following the basic tenets of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations, and utilizing wet chemistry processes that mimic those found in the natural environment." 

Dr. Centofanti concluded, "Finally, I look forward to discussing how changes and consolidation through company acquisitions and mergers within the nuclear industry are mirroring actions a decade earlier in the hazardous waste industry. Similar to the hazardous waste industry, for consolidation to be successful and healthy, the nuclear waste industry requires a leader to emerge that sets the direction for others and establishes a sustainable path that is acceptable for waste generators, stakeholders, and investors. Ultimately, our planet needs nuclear energy and the industry that supports it to be successful, as it is the only carbon-free energy that can meet the world's baseload energy requirements and allow us to meet our global climate change goals."

About the Southeast Compact Commission
Congress enacted the Low Level Waste Policy Act in 1980 (along with its amendments in 1985), which assigns responsibility to states for management of low-level radioactive waste generated within its borders. It also authorized states to enter into compacts for the purpose of operating regional disposal facilities. Six states -- Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia -- make up the Southeast Compact. The Southeast Compact Commission oversees the activities for these states, and its mission is to ensure that adequate, reliable, and appropriate services are available to manage low-level radioactive waste streams generated in the Southeast Compact Region and to promote and facilitate the maximum use of those services by low-level radioactive material licensees in the party states. 

About Perma-Fix Environmental Services
Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. is a nuclear services company and leading provider of nuclear and mixed waste management services. The Company's nuclear waste services include management and treatment of radioactive and mixed waste for hospitals, research labs and institutions, federal agencies, including the DOE, the Department of Defense ("DOD"), and the commercial nuclear industry. The Company's nuclear services group provides project management, waste management, environmental restoration, decontamination and decommissioning, new build construction, and radiological protection, safety and industrial hygiene capability to our clients. The Company operates four nuclear waste treatment facilities and provides nuclear services at DOE, DOD, and commercial facilities, nationwide. 

Please visit us on the World Wide Web at http://www.perma-fix.com.

Contacts:
David K. Waldman
US Investor Relations
Crescendo Communications, LLC
(212) 671-1021

Herbert Strauss
European Investor Relations
herbert@eu-ir.com
+43 316 296 316

Source: Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc.

Released March 2, 2016