EM Begins Demolition of Building G2 at Separations Process Research Unit

NISKAYUNA, N.Y.  EM’s cleanup contractor at the Separations Process Research Unit (SPRU) nuclear facility completed preparations allowing for the open-air demolition of Building G2, which has begun.

G2 is one of two SPRU buildings that supported improvements in the chemical separation of plutonium for the nation’s strategic defense early in the Cold War. Its demolition culminates several years of preparatory work by the site’s contractor, URS Energy & Construction, a subsidiary of AECOM.

The deactivation of Building G2 included removing hazardous and radioactive materials; isolating utility systems; removing vessels and components, and miles of piping and tubing. That work was performed in a tent enclosure with filtered ventilation to ensure protection of workers, the public and the environment.

Successful completion of these efforts led to a determination by EM that the remaining structure can now be safely demolished. 

"The EM SPRU Field Office staff and our URS contractor worked together closely to safely and successfully arrive at this major project milestone,” said Steven Feinberg, SPRU's federal project director.

According to Jeff Selvey, AECOM-SPRU disposition project manager, “Our team’s hard work is the beginning of the end for these Cold War-era nuclear processing facilities. It’s an achievement that relied on the sustained support of our EM counterparts.”

EM is responsible for the decontamination, demolition and cleanup of SPRU, a 65-year-old Cold War facility. A pilot plant used for researching the separation of plutonium from irradiated uranium, SPRU operated between February 1950 and October 1953. It is collocated with Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, which is part of the network of DOE's national laboratories.

Click here for more information on the SPRU project or contact Stephan Tetreault with the EM headquarters communications office at 202-287-5573 or at [email protected].