In the News

Below are articles and other news published since the last West Valley Citizen Task Force Meeting. They relate to the West Valley Demonstration Project, nuclear waste cleanup or are otherwise relevant or of potential interest to stakeholders interested in the Project. After each Citizen Task Force Meeting, these articles are compiled into a single document and may be found with the meeting materials for that month.

Springville?Ellicottville Pennysaver & News – West Valley completes demolition of load‐in facility

April 2, 2022 – The Department of Energy (DOE) and cleanup contractor CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV) completed the demolition of the Load‐In Facility at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP), the last ancillary support structure that surrounds the Main Plant Process Building. This recent demolition brings DOE’s total number of structures removed at West Valley to 69.

DOE WVDP Director Bryan Bower commended the team for its work. “The work of our team of dedicated employees continues to ready the site for the future demolition of the Main Plant Process Building, while reducing legacy risks at the site,” stated Bower.

The 4,500‐square‐foot, two‐level building, which had been used for several purposes over the years, is no longer needed for EM’s cleanup. It is set to join the list of Main Plant ancillary structures already torn down, helping shrink the site’s cleanup footprint. Those six support structures were used for everything from reducing the size of waste for disposal to providing space for offices, utilities, and laundry services. Link to article

Community Source Cattaraugus County – WVDP completes demolition of Load‐In Facility

March 31, 2022 – Demolition of the Load‐In Facility at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP), the last ancillary support structure that surrounds the Main Plant Process Building, was recently completed.

This recent demolition brings the Department of Energy’s total number of structures removed at West Valley to 69.

DOE WVDP Director Bryan Bower commended the team for its work.

“The work of our team of dedicated employees continues to ready the site for the future demolition of the Main Plant Process Building, while reducing legacy risks at the site,” he said.

The 4,500‐square‐foot, two‐level building, which had been used for several purposes over the years, is no longer needed for EM’s cleanup. Link to article

Em Update – FY23 Budget Request Sets Stage for Continued EM Success

March 29, 2022 – EM’s fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget request of $7.64 billion reflects the strong commitment to clean up the environment in communities that historically supported or continue to support nuclear weapons programs and government‐sponsored nuclear research.

The request positions EM for a new era of steady and sustained achievement. The budget will further ramp up work to tackle the challenge of radioactive waste in underground storage tanks, as well as continue to drive risk reduction and skyline changes across all EM sites. Link to Update

Olean Times Herald – Start of West Valley main plant demolition set for July

March 26, 2022 – Demolition of the Main Plant Process Building at the West Valley Demonstration Project is expected to begin in July.

John Rendall, president of CHBWV, the WVDP cleanup contractor, said during Wednesday’s meeting of the West Valley Citizens Task Force the Main Plant Process Building is expected to be ready for demolition to begin in July.

Crews are testing the water management system designed to collect water sprayed to keep down dust during demolition. There are several air monitoring systems that will be in place during demolition — both onsite and offsite. One real‐time monitoring system will be used to suspend demolition activities if needed for safety. Link to article

Olean Times Herald – WVDP completes demolition of Load‐In Facility

March 24, 2022 – Demolition of the Load‐In Facility at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP), the last ancillary support structure that surrounds the Main Plant Process Building, was recently completed.

This recent demolition brings the Department of Energy’s total number of structures removed at West Valley to 69.

DOE WVDP Director Bryan Bower commended the team for its work.

“The work of our team of dedicated employees continues to ready the site for the future demolition of the Main Plant Process Building, while reducing legacy risks at the site,” he said.

The 4,500‐square‐foot, two‐level building, which had been used for several purposes over the years, is no longer needed for EM’s cleanup. It is set to join the list of Main Plant ancillary structures already torn down, helping shrink the site’s cleanup footprint. Those six support structures were used for everything from reducing the size of waste for disposal to providing space for offices, utilities and laundry services. Link to article

Upcoming meeting information

The next CTF meeting will be on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Ashford Office Complex, 9030 Route 219, West Valley

On-line webinar: Registration

Agenda

For more information

on the West Valley Citizen Task Force, please contact:

Heike Jacob, Facilitator
West Valley Citizen Task Force
c/o Highland Planning
heike@highland-planning.com