Kenneth Fletcher
WC Monitor
6/20/2014
The Department of Energy’s Office of Independent Enterprise Assessments is launching an investigation into the February incidents at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, according to a notification sent to WIPP contractor Nuclear Waste Partnership this week. The Office of Enforcement will look into “the facts and circumstances associated with potential programmatic deficiencies in the nuclear safety, radiation protection, emergency management, quality assurance, and worker safety and health programs revealed by the February 2014 fire and radiation release at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant,” states the June 16 letter from the Office of Independent Enterprise Assessments to URS-led NWP. The investigation could result in financial penalties for the contractor.
The Office of Independent Enterprise Assessments is a new office formed earlier this year out of the former Office of Health Safety and Security, and includes the Department’s oversight and enforcement functions. DOE this week did not respond to request for comment on why it has launched the investigation and how long it is expected to take. NWP also did not respond to request for comment. While what exactly triggered the Feb. 14 radiation release at WIPP remains unknown, DOE so far has completed two Accident Investigation Board reports into a fire that occurred underground before the release, as well as into the response to the radiological release itself. Those found that the fire and radiation release was “preventable” and detailed numerous concerns with NWP and DOE management that contributed to both events, including a lack of proper maintenance, ventilation system issues and inadequate responses to both events.
DOE Billed $3 Million So Far for Corporate Reachback
Following the February events, NWP tapped into resources from parent companies URS and B&W, as well as site contractors around the complex to aid in recovery response—billing a total of $3.15 million to the Department as of May 29, according to documents obtained by WC Monitor through a Freedom of Information Act Request. That includes over $1 million from URS Professional Solutions, $714,029 from Savannah River Remediation, $533,894 from URS CH2M Oak Ridge, $313,949 from URS Global Management and Operations Services and $298,183 from B&W Pantex. For more detail on the services provided by the B&W and URS affiliates, click here to view the documents.
