The Department of Energy is considering a privatization approach for the construction and operation of an on-site disposal cell for the Portsmouth D&D project and has discussed the option with companies including EnergySolutions and Fluor, WC Monitor has learned. The privatization option, which appears to be in the early stages of discussion, would entail a private company putting up approximately $100 million to construct the disposal cell, and then recouping its investment through operations for approximately 10 years, according to officials familiar with the issue. EnergySolutions declined to comment yesterday, and the DOE Office of Environmental Management did not return calls for comment. Portsmouth D&D contractor Fluor-B&W Portsmouth, LLC, also declined to comment yesterday, saying the ongoing regulatory process to determine whether or not an on-site disposal cell would be employed at the project is not yet complete.
NEW: Via public records request, I’ve been able to confirm reporting today that a warrant has been issued for DOE deputy asst. secretary of spent fuel and waste disposition Sam Brinton for another luggage theft, this time at Las Vegas’s Harry Reid airport. (cc: @EMPublications)
DOE spent fuel lead Brinton accused of second luggage theft.
by @BenjaminSWeiss, confirming today's reports with warrant from Las Vegas Metro PD.
Waste has been Emplaced! 🚮
We have finally begun emplacing defense-related transuranic (TRU) waste in Panel 8 of #WIPP.
Read more about the waste emplacement here: https://wipp.energy.gov/wipp_news_20221123-2.asp
Editorial: Sam Brinton’s credibility is now an issue 🔓