WC Monitor
1/8/2016
IN DOE
Final preparations are being made for demolition of the former K-27 uranium enrichment plant at Oak Ridge, Tenn., the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management announced.
The building is the last of five structures that once enriched uranium for nuclear weapons and commercial nuclear fuel at what is now the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP). Pre-demolition operations are 96 percent complete, and demolition personnel at ETTP are preparing to take over work on K-27 from deactivation workers. The emphasis is now on “verification walk downs,” according to a Dec. 29 DOE press release: “Similar to a construction project punch list, the verification walk down checklist confirms that all deactivation work has been completed, including the removal of hazardous and radioactive materials and components that exceed onsite waste disposal limits. When walk downs identify conditions outside of the deactivation plan, crews take actions to correct the inconsistencies and achieve compliance.”
The facility is expected to be declared “criticality incredible” this month, DOE said. That status indicates there are no longer any materials within the building that could create a nuclear criticality – an uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction. Demolition is scheduled to start early next month, according to a DOE spokesperson.
The full K-27 cleanup project is expected to cost about $292 million, with demolition due to be completed by the end of this year. The entire ETTP remediation is tagged at $1.1 billion and scheduled for finishing in the early 2020s.
The Department of Energy last week issued a request for information for companies interested in preparing a supplemental environmental impact statement for the West Valley Demonstration Project in upstate New York.
DOE is working with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to remediate a one-time commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing site about 35 miles south of Buffalo.
The RFI seeks no proposals. Instead, “DOE is seeking feedback from contractors and other interested parties regarding options for innovative approaches for the performance of the Draft [performance work statement], as well as, insight into potential contracting alternatives,” according to the DOE Office of Environmental Management. “This market research will assist DOE with identifying interested and capable sources and developing its acquisition strategy. Key market research goals include identifying and minimizing barriers to competition, evaluating small business capabilities, identifying risks, identifying potential requirements definition and contract alternatives, and identifying appropriate terms and conditions.”
More details on the RFI can be found here.
Washington state has failed to receive an extension for 2016 under the REAL ID Act passed by Congress in 2005, which will change requirements for accessing much of the Hanford Site. A standard Washington state driver’s license or identification card will no longer be sufficient proof of identification to be issued a Hanford badge starting Monday. Illinois, Missouri, and New Mexico standard driver’s licenses also do not meet REAL ID standards. The four states have not met all 41 requirements of the act setting standards for issuing identification documents. The change will impact new hires, subcontractors, delivery drivers, vendors, tour participants and visitors at Hanford. Requirements for public tours that start in the spring are being evaluated.
Acceptable identification for Hanford badging include an enhanced driver’s license from one of the four states not complying with the Real ID Act, a U.S. passport, a U.S. military ID card, a U.S. military dependent’s ID card, or ID cards issued by a U.S. government agency, such as a Native American tribal ID. A driver’s license from a state that is not compliant with Real ID will be accepted with a second form of identification. Acceptable secondary forms of identification include a Social Security card, an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a voter’s registration card, a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner card, a certificate of U.S. citizenship or naturalization, a U.S. citizen ID card, certification of birth abroad, or an ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency. Expired or canceled documents will not be accepted.
