The Energy Department has reached a deal with the state of California to tear down and remove 10 contaminated buildings at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) in Ventura County.
Eliminating decaying buildings within the Radioactive Materials Handling Facility Complex should avoid a release of hazardous substances and minimize risk to the public in the event of wildfire at the site, the state said in a Wednesday press release.
The 2-acre RMHF Complex is part of DOE’s former Energy Technology Engineering Center, built at Santa Susana to handle nuclear fuel. Contamination at the buildings includes radionuclides, heavy metals, solvents, oils and greases, lead-based paint, and asbestos-bearing materials
“The surrounding communities have waited a long time for decisive action at the Santa Susana Field Lab and today’s Order represents a new and important chapter towards the full cleanup,” Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in the release.
Removal of the building debris will be carried out under requirements of the 2010 Administrative Orders on Consent, which govern the cleanup of Santa Susana. The debris from all 10 structures will be shipped out of state to a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility, according to the release.
Neither the news release nor the accompanying legal order say where exactly the low-level or mixed-waste will be sent.
The agreement, reached between DOE and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, does not address soil remediation at ETEC.
Last October, the Energy Department issued a record of decision outlining its plans to tear down its 18 remaining buildings at ETEC. But the California agencies reminded DOE the state must sign off on any demolition plans.
Only 10 of the 18 buildings are covered by the agreement, “and they aren’t even removing the building slabs” that must happen prior to soil remediation, Denise Duffield, associate director of Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles, said in an email.
The DTSC is the state agency overseeing remediation at the 2,850-acre Santa Susana site by three organizations – DOE, NASA, and Boeing.
