DOE TENTATIVELY APPROVES SWPF PROJECT MANAGER

The Department of Energy has given conditional approval to Parsons Salt Waste Processing Facility Project Manager Lou Jackson as his 90-day evaluation period comes to a close this week. However, final approval for the construction contractor’s choice to head the project is contingent on several “performance-related” conditions, and there is no timeline for final approval, according to DOE Savannah River spokesman Bill Taylor.

The approval comes shortly after Parsons’ estimated total costs for the project have risen more than $400 million in its most recent estimate. “DOE has tentatively approved Mr. Jackson with conditions and will be evaluating improvements in cost and schedule performance prior to giving final approval. Those evaluations are ongoing,” Taylor said in a written response last week. The recent jump in cost is largely attributed to delays in the fabrication of a set of 10 key vessels, six of which were finally installed earlier this month. In an interview with WC Monitor last week, Jackson said he has no intention of leaving the project. “I plan to stay on and our company plans for me to stay on,” he said. “As far as I know, DOE has not indicated otherwise.”