EM Leaders See Idaho Cleanup’s Contributions to Nuclear Renaissance

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Joel Bradburne, center, visits the control room at the Integrated Waste Treatment Unit, which has processed over 300,000 gallons of sodium-bearing waste to date. Acting Idaho Cleanup Project Manager Nick Balsmeier is at right, foreground, and EM Deputy Chief of Staff John Howard is at left.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Joel Bradburne and other members of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) leadership team visited the Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) last week, where they surveyed major remediation projects and saw how meeting cleanup milestones is creating opportunities at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

Bradburne, EM acting principal deputy assistant secretary, and the others saw firsthand the progress of liquid waste processing at the Integrated Waste Treatment Unit (IWTU); used nuclear fuel storage and other capabilities of the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC); transuranic waste certification and shipping operations at the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project (AMWTP); and legacy prototype demolition at the Naval Reactors Facility (NRF).

To date, the IWTU has processed over 300,000 gallons, or a third of the liquid sodium-bearing waste stored onsite, and recently ceased use of one of three onsite tanks containing the waste — a marker of progress. Bradburne praised the IWTU workforce, recognizing that these accomplishments reduce risk to workers, the public and the environment while demonstrating EM’s commitment to meeting cleanup obligations to the state of Idaho.

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Joel Bradburne signs a cask used to process sodium-bearing waste at the Integrated Waste Treatment Unit.

Since the 1950s, INTEC has safely managed over 200 types of used nuclear fuel from across the INL Site and the world. During the tour, crews demonstrated how ICP continues that mission by safely managing used nuclear fuel from the Advanced Test Reactor, enabling its research demonstrations, and preparing to receive, store, and handle university and other research fuel shipments. These are critical INL research opportunities made possible by cleanup accomplishments.

A highly skilled workforce and specialized equipment at AMWTP are driving taxpayer savings and advancing DOE’s transuranic waste mission. By using ultrasonic technology to certify transuranic waste containers, AMWTP crews saved about $20 million. The facility’s remote waste-handling equipment recently processed large items for Los Alamos National Laboratory, showcasing its unique capabilities and potential to help other DOE sites process waste for disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.

Crews at NRF are finding success in efficiency. They rely on innovative practices, equipment reuse and recycling to deliver savings as they demolish three Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program legacy prototypes. They recently finished demolishing the first prototype ahead of schedule and $16 million under budget, and have recycled nearly 3,000 tons of metals to date.

Reflecting on his visit, Bradburne noted the ICP workforce’s efforts to advance EM’s renewed vision.

“The Idaho Cleanup Project continues to be an important part of the Department’s strategy to strengthen America’s energy future,” Bradburne said. “The milestones they achieve today not only ensure protection tomorrow but open the door to many new opportunities at the Idaho Cleanup Project to advance the nuclear renaissance.”

-Contributors: Leslie Dal Lago, Carter Harrison