Stakeholders, Employees Join EM to Mark West Valley’s Major Cleanup Milestone

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Roger Jarrell speaks during an event marking the completion of the Main Plant Process Building demolition at the West Valley Demonstration Project.

EM accomplishes demolition project in 30 months and more than $30 million under budget

WEST VALLEY, N.Y. — U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Roger Jarrell recently joined community stakeholders and employees at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) to celebrate a major milestone: the safe completion of demolition of the Main Plant Process Building.

The West Valley workforce achieved an EM 2025 priority by successfully finishing the largest, most complex demolition of a radioactively contaminated facility at the West Valley site to date. In addition to resulting in a significant skyline change, the facility’s demolition was an historic event, as the Main Plant was the only commercial spent fuel reprocessing facility to ever operate in the United States.

Jarrell and other EM officials toured the site to observe cleanup efforts and meet with employees, key stakeholders and others. They included representatives from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, EM prime contractor CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV) and the West Valley Citizen Task Force, which provides recommendations regarding completion of the WVDP cleanup and closure or long term management of the site.

“By safely delivering this achievement on time and under budget, our team is meeting federal cleanup responsibilities, reducing risks, driving efficiency and positioning West Valley for the next phase of success,” Jarrell said during a celebration marking the milestone to an audience of 200 employees, stakeholders and dignitaries. “As we pivot to the next phase of West Valley cleanup, EM will continue advancing safe, compliant progress and a strong future for the people of New York.”

West Valley Demonstration Project Office of Project Management Director Stephen Bousquet, far left, discusses the site's rail line located beyond the stone pile during a tour for U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) officials. Also pictured from left are EM Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Roger Jarrell, EM Consolidated Business Center Director Jack Zimmerman, EM Associate Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Kristen Ellis, and EM Deputy Chief of Staff John Howard.

EM and CHBWV took down the five-story, 35,100-square-foot Main Plant in a deliberate sequence and pace, removing more than 70 sections and areas of the building over the course of 30 months, finishing the project more than $30 million under budget.

U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy of New York called the accomplishment a major milestone for WVDP, western New York and environmental cleanup efforts nationwide.

“The demolition of the last major facility on site is the culmination of this decades-long project to remove dangerous nuclear waste, protect our land and water and create good-paying local jobs," Langworthy said. "The commitment from CHBWV, the community leaders and the dedicated workers at International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 2401 has made a profound impact on our region and we are all grateful. I’m proud to have supported this effort and thank the dedicated workers and agencies who made it possible.”

Employees at the West Valley Demonstration Project celebrate the completion of the Main Plant Process Building demolition.

WVDP is located in the Town of Ashford. Town Supervisor John Pfeffer said the successful demolition of the Main Plant marks a significant milestone in the ongoing environmental remediation efforts, eliminating a major source of contamination and “bringing us closer to our goal of restoring this land” for future generations.

“While we celebrate this important progress, significant work remains ahead, and we remain committed to working with all stakeholders to see this critical project through to completion,” Pfeffer said. “The Town of Ashford appreciates the hard work by all to complete this major effort.”

EM West Valley Director Bryan Bower commended employees on a job well done.

“This and other work at the West Valley Demonstration Project only happens because of the skills, dedication and commitment of our employees to complete the work in a safe and compliant manner,” Bower said. “For that, I personally want to thank all of you.”

CHBWV President and General Manager Jason Casper thanked employees for their hard work and dedication.

“On behalf of the senior management team, I want to thank everyone for completing this work safely and compliantly,” Casper said. “Together, I am confident that we will continue our work to meet challenges head-on, find solutions to complex cleanup problems and safely reduce risks at the site.”

-Contributor: Joseph Pillittere