Crews at the Idaho Cleanup Project will modify a Cold War-era facility to transfer, repackage and place spent nuclear fuel in a “road ready” state to prepare for its eventual removal from Idaho.
Office of Environmental Management
November 19, 2024
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The Irradiated Fuel Storage Facility is used primarily for dry storage for spent nuclear fuel from the Idaho National Laboratory Site’s Advanced Test Reactor.
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Crews at the Idaho Cleanup Project will modify a Cold War-era facility to transfer, repackage and place spent nuclear fuel in a “road ready” state to prepare for its eventual removal from Idaho.
Early stages of the Road Ready Demonstration project at the Idaho National Laboratory Site are focused on modifying the Irradiated Fuel Storage Facility and installing a new transfer car insert, which is a large cask-handling device that moves the fuel through the facility.
During recent work, crews cut access points into the metal insert, allowing future equipment maintenance to be completed safely. They also completed other modifications that help rotate large fuel casks to facilitate easier access during operations.
“These modifications are necessary before we can install the transfer car insert,” said Tyson Woolstenhulme, a project manager for the demonstration. “The insert is larger than our existing equipment and will give our workforce the versatility to handle anticipated fuel types throughout the Road Ready Demonstration project, including heavy casks weighing approximately 130 tons.”
A modified cask will be installed at the Irradiated Fuel Storage Facility to allow crews to safely handle all anticipated fuel types throughout the Road Ready Demonstration project at the Idaho National Laboratory Site.
During the demonstration, the transfer car insert will help move the fuel through the facility for repackaging into U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) standard canisters. Once repackaged, the fuel will be staged to prepare for permanent disposal outside the state — a commitment to Idaho by DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM).
Woolstenhulme expects all transfer car insert modifications to be completed by the end of 2024, allowing installation to begin early next year.
Other modifications include important components to the facility, such as a truck bay ramp and permanent containment structure, which encloses the transfer car and protects the workforce from radiation exposure. Crews will expand that structure’s door and fill in the truck bay ramp in fiscal year 2025, fortifying the facility’s infrastructure to ensure safe fuel handling and transport.
Woolstenhulme credits the spent nuclear fuel workforce for the progress to date.
“We have such a committed group of professionals supporting this project,” Woolstenhulme said. “By completing targeted modifications to the facility, we will be better equipped to fulfill our mission.”
The Road Ready Demonstration project will transfer spent nuclear fuel to a storage configuration safe for transport for permanent disposal.
The 1995 Idaho Settlement Agreement, a binding document that sets enforceable milestones on cleanup progress in Idaho, requires that spent nuclear fuel is shipped out of the state for permanent disposal. Bill Kirby, chief operating officer for EM cleanup contractor Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC), recognizes that this project brings IEC a step closer to fulfilling its commitment to the state of Idaho and its residents.
“Progress on the Road Ready Demonstration allows IEC to continue being responsible neighbors and stewards of the environment,” said Kirby. “Our commitment to the state of Idaho is incredibly important to me and our workforce, and I look forward to watching this project develop.”
-Contributor: Carter Harrison
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