NNSA SEEKS SUPPORT FOR PU DISPOSITION SEIS UNTIL SEPT. 2014

After pushing out indefinitely the release of a final Surplus Plutonium Disposition Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, the National Nuclear Security Administration last week sought to extend a support contract for the EIS until September 2014. The NNSA released its draft report in July 2012, and had planned to release its final SEIS early this year. However, the date for completion of the final SEIS is now “under Departmental review” according to the latest NNSA schedule. NNSA is seeking an extension to a task order with Mele Associates until Sept. 26, 2014, “to allow the contractor to complete the Surplus Plutonium Disposition Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement,” according to a notice posted Friday. The NNSA is currently evaluating alternatives to disposition of surplus plutonium as Mixed Oxide fuel in an assessment launched earlier this year.