The Department of Energy is taking public comment through Aug. 2 on a $218 million proposal, along with less-costly options, for minimizing health and environmental risks at the Plutonium Uranium Extraction (PUREX) Plant at the Hanford Site in Washington state.
The preferred option focuses on a key building and annexes at the plant – not two underground tunnels holding radioactive waste from the facility, which have been stabilized with grout after one partially collapsed in May 2017, the Energy Department said in announcing the comment period for the engineering evaluation and cost analysis.
Used off-and-on for chemical separation of plutonium from nuclear fuel rods from 1956 through 1988, the PUREX complex has contaminated equipment and buildings. Water leaks and ceiling drywall damage have seen throughout the complex, DOE said.
Until it is demolished some years from now, the Energy Department is proposing a “non-time critical removal action” to minimize hazards at the plant’s main process building. The agency also wants to tear down two annexes, according to a DOE fact sheet. The annexes are multi-story steel buildings that a variety of functions, from a laboratory work area to a maintenance shop.
Along with a no-action alternative; the DOE report lists a $178 million alternative using surveillance and maintenance of existing structures to limit hazards; an option taking those steps while also preparing the East and West annexes for demolition, at a cost of $191 million; and the preferred alternative that combines options two and three along with actual demolition of the annexes, as well as preparing to demolish parts of the 202A Canyon Building.
Comments on the DOE approach can be sent via email to [email protected]. After reviewing the comments, DOE will huddle with the Washington state Department of Ecology and issue an action memorandum.
In April, Hanford cleanup contractor CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation finished shoring up the second of two storage tunnels for radioactive waste from the PUREX Plant by filing it with grout. Officials at Hanford worried about the stability of the 1960s-vintage tunnel after the older tunnel, built in 1956, partially collapsed.
The first tunnel was filled with grout under emergency conditions by November 2017.
