An EM team safely demolished a structure at West Valley Demonstration Project used during former spent nuclear fuel reprocessing operations as well as cleanup, including solidification of liquid high-level waste and deactivation of one of the last major facilities remaining at the site.
Office of Environmental Management
February 27, 2024
minute read time
EM crews demolish the former Waste Reduction and Packaging Area at the West Valley Demonstration Project.
WEST VALLEY, N.Y. — An EM team safely demolished a structure at West Valley Demonstration Project used during former spent nuclear fuel reprocessing operations as well as cleanup, including solidification of liquid high-level waste and deactivation of one of the last major facilities remaining at the site.
“The West Valley Demonstration Project team strives to find solutions to conduct demolition activities in a safe, efficient and deliberate manner,” said Stephen Bousquet, assistant director of West Valley’s Office of Project Management. “They continue to leverage their combined knowledge and expertise to complete the demolition of this major milestone safely and compliantly.”
The crews demolished the 1,000-square-foot Waste Reduction and Packaging Area along with an associated dock about 600 square feet in area. Both structures were used to package waste and ship it offsite for disposal. At one time, a box compactor was used to compact waste inside metal waste boxes to maximize the waste content of the boxes.
Demolition began at the end of January, and the building structure and dock were demolished over two days. Workers used a large excavator with a hydraulic shear attachment to take down the building.
“The completion of this demolition demonstrates the commitment to identifying efficiencies while maintaining a safe and compliant approach to the overall demolition of the Main Plant,” said Tom Dogal, Facility Disposition director with EM cleanup contractor CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley. “It is collaborations like this, between the workforce, management and DOE, that is making the project such a success.”
Successful demolition of the Main Plant Process Building will further reduce environmental risks and position the site for the next phase in cleanup. The demolition is expected to be completed in the fiscal year that begins this October.
-Contributor: Joseph Pillittere
To receive the latest news and updates about the Office of Environment Management, submit your e-mail address.