EM's Future Workforce: Idaho Interns Contribute to Cleanup Mission

Idaho Cleanup Project staff and interns visit the Experimental Breeder Reactor-1, a national historic landmark at the Idaho National Laboratory Site. Pictured from left are Eliza Haderlie, Grace Savage, Isaac Ryner, Brenleigh Killpack, Selena Torres, Leamarie Mitchell and Ryan Christensen. Not pictured: Duncan Ferguson.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — An internship at the Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) means hands-on work, interfacing with industry experts, deadlines and real-world experience to put on a resume.

This summer, five interns joined U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) ICP contractor Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC), supporting a variety of organizations from engineering and essential missions to information technology and safety and health.

For EM’s Calcine Disposition Project, Isaac Ryner focused on integrating a physical control system into real-time machine movement. He supported project engineers by mapping control inputs, changing the format of the data communicated between control systems and programming that data into movement.

Remote technology will be crucial to safely retrieving calcine, a granular waste stored onsite, for eventual removal from the state of Idaho, and Ryner contributed to the development of this technology.

Another priority project for IEC is the creation of periodic task orders for the continuation of ICP work. This summer, Grace Savage assisted IEC’s estimating and essential missions teams with this project. This work involved frequent communication with senior management, in-depth analysis of proposal data, development of detailed cost estimates, and ongoing modification and adjustment of those estimates across all accounts.

“Throughout this process, I’ve gained meaningful insight into the complexities of the industry and developed a deeper appreciation for the level of detail and effort required in each task,” said Savage. “As a finance major at Utah State University, this hands-on experience has significantly enriched my understanding of real-world applications and will enhance my learning in the classroom.”

Idaho Cleanup Project interns Eliza Haderlie, Isaac Ryner and Brenleigh Killpack learn about the Experimental Breeder Reactor-1, a national historic landmark at the Idaho National Laboratory Site.

Interns Brenleigh Killpack and Eliza Haderlie worked on a software inventory portfolio, which is important to the ICP mission because it contains information vital to IEC’s Data Governance Program.

Their efforts improved the portfolio, making it more user friendly and enhancing its data identification process. As a result, the Data Governance Program will be more efficient in identifying key stakeholders as they strive to gain a better understanding of ICP data.

A primary goal of the IEC internship program is to provide the next-generation workforce with experience and insight into the industry. Duncan Ferguson experienced this firsthand as he conducted asbestos sampling at the deactivation and demolition (D&D) site for three legacy Naval Propulsion Program prototypes at the Naval Reactors Facility at the Idaho National Laboratory Site. This is an important step to safely complete D&D of the prototypes.

“As someone passionate about protecting health and well-being, this internship has been an impactful experience. It has reinforced my belief that preventing harm by controlling hazardous substances and maintaining healthy environments is just as important as treating illness,” said Ferguson. “While I’ve always been grateful for healthcare professionals, this experience has expanded my view of public service to include those who work behind the scenes in health protection and environmental cleanup.”

-Contributor: Leamarie Mitchell