A crew tears down an equipment storage building at the Radioactive Materials Handling Facility complex at the Energy Technology Engineering Center.
A crew tears down an equipment storage building at the Radioactive Materials Handling Facility complex at the Energy Technology Engineering Center.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. – Exceptional progress continues at the Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC) in Ventura County, California with the successful demolition of seven buildings at the Radioactive Materials Handling Facility (RMHF) complex since July 21.

That was the date crews at the former nuclear and liquid metals research site resumed active cleanup at the site. They safely demolished four buildings in the first week, and knocked down three more structures by the end of the subsequent week, include an oxidation facility, storage yard building, and an equipment storage building.

“I’m proud of our team as they continue to exceed expectations on safety and timing for the RMHF demolition and disposal of materials,” said ETEC Federal Project Director John Jones, who is leading the effort for EM.

Removing the RMHF facilities, a set of 10 buildings constructed in 1959 and used for the processing, packaging, and shipment of radioactive and mixed hazardous wastes during site operations that ended in 1988, will reduce potential risk of release of hazardous substances due to wildfires or erosion from severe storms.

The next phase of work is expected to start in late August and includes demolition of the three remaining buildings at the RMHF complex.

The RMHF complex demolition and removal of debris is on track and scheduled to take approximately six months. Activities are being conducted under a 2020 agreement between the DOE and the State of California, and in adherence to safety practices recommended to protect workers from exposure to the coronavirus. Debris from the cleanup is being transported outside the State of California for disposal at licensed commercial disposal facilities.

ETEC, located in Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, served as a premier research facility from the 1950s until the end of active operations. Since the 1980s, more than 250 structures on the site have been demolished and removed. After workers finish demolishing the three remaining RMHF complex buildings, only eight DOE structures will remain.