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.
Contamination has been observed throughout the building and is expected to continue as the facilities degrade, according to the department.
Until it is demolished at some point beyond 2032, 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 multistory steel buildings that house a variety of old facilities 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.
The 202A Building consists of a canyon, the East Annex and West Annex, attached to the north side of the canyon. With clause, this reads like the canyon is attached to the north side of itself. The canyon is a thick walled, heavily shielded concrete area with four gallery levels, a canyon deck, a row of process cells, a hot (radioactive) pipe trench, and an air tunnel.
The four removal action alternatives were developed in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980. A CERCLA record of decision on remediating the entire complex is not anticipated until the 2032-time frame, the DOE spokesperson said.
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, possibly this year. The removal action will be performed based on conditions at the facility, along with the availability of funds and skilled labor, a DOE spokesperson said by email.
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.
