Idaho Advances Historic Prototype Demolition in Partnership With Naval Reactors

Idaho Cleanup Project crews demolish the Aircraft Carrier 1st Generation Westinghouse (A1W) Annex administrative office areas, attached to the prototype building. The crane house, the tall arched portion of the building, is also visible at top right in the photo.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) is progressing with deactivation and demolition (D&D) of two historic Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program prototypes, continuing an effective partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) and the Office of Naval Reactors (NR) to reduce the environmental footprint at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site.

“Our project crews work very efficiently and that has allowed us to work an accelerated timeline at all three prototypes,” said Shawna Burtenshaw, operations director for deactivation and demolition projects for ICP cleanup contractor Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC).

Crews are currently focusing on the demolition of several areas around the Aircraft Carrier 1st Generation Westinghouse (A1W) prototype, including the facility’s generator building, administrative office areas and other buildings. Above-grade demolition in these areas is nearly complete, and removal of large, heavy mechanical components is underway, with an anticipated completion later this year.

This year, crews will also finish deactivating the A1W crane house, a mobile facility previously used for refueling and maintenance of the prototype.

Burtenshaw noted that early work at the A1W prototype at the Naval Reactors Facility began in 2023, thanks to progress on the Submarine 1st Generation Westinghouse (S1W) prototype, which crews finished demolishing late last year.

Teams have also started characterization and deactivation activities at the Submarine 5th Generation General Electric (S5G) prototype. IEC’s efficient D&D approach has allowed teardown of the defueled A1W and S5G prototypes to progress ahead of NR’s initial projections.

“Characterization and deactivation are crucial phases of any demolition project and focuses on ensuring safety of the workers, the public and the environment,” said Burtenshaw. “These efforts are in progress and include the identification and removal of hazardous material like asbestos or polychlorinated biphenyls, and the isolation of electrical and mechanical components.”

The S5G prototype sits below-grade in a basin, and crews are characterizing, packaging and removing basin items for disposal.

EM and IEC assumed responsibility for D&D of the three legacy Navy prototypes starting in 2022. Work will continue at A1W and S5G through fiscal year 2031.

Beginning nuclear operations in 1958 and 1965, respectively, the A1W and S5G prototypes played a vital role in advancing naval nuclear research and training tens of thousands of Navy and civilian students.

-Contributor: Carter Harrison