From Cold War to Cleanup: Idaho Storage Facility Prepares for Future Mission

This sequence of photos shows the progression of converting a sloped truck bay into a level concrete staging area at the Idaho National Laboratory Site’s primary onsite used nuclear fuel dry storage facility. U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management crews filled and compacted the sloped truck bay to prepare for the concrete. Next, they placed forms and rebar for the fuel cask staging pad. The last photo shows the sloped truck bay modification completed.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) recently completed another important modification to a Cold War-era storage facility to get used nuclear fuel (UNF) “road ready” for future shipment and permanent disposal out of state.

Crews converted a sloped truck bay into a level concrete staging area at the ICP’s CPP-603 building, the Idaho National Laboratory Site’s primary onsite UNF dry storage facility. This project is one of many to improve critical safety features, help crews meet U.S. Department of Energy commitments and prepare the legacy facility to support future work.

ICP’s primary UNF mission prepares packages for future shipment and disposal out of Idaho.

Modifications to CPP-603, such as crane upgrades, increasing size capacity of the transfer car that moves fuel in and out of storage, and leveling the sloped truck bay not only enhance the current management of fuel stored there but also ensures the work will continue safely.

“This project is an important step forward,” said Kerry Oltmanns, a senior manager with ICP cleanup contractor Idaho Environmental Coalition. “Leveling the truck ramp is one of many CPP-603 enhancements that will allow our crews to continue the safe execution of their existing work scope, and it places us in a unique position to carry out the long term used fuel mission in Idaho.”

-Contributor: Carter Harrison