EM Update, February 20, 2024 —

WEST VALLEY, N.Y. — EM and its cleanup contractor at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP)

used innovative thinking to improve safety and efficiency and save taxpayer money by acquiring new

automated tools for demolition equipment.

“The WVDP team uses diversity, collaboration and inclusion to its advantage when developing innovation solutions during cleanup activities,” EM West Valley Project Management Assistant Director Stephen Bousquet said. “Combining their differences and strengths helps the team improve safety, increase efficiency and reduce costs.”

The new tools, known as quick couplers, feature an advanced automatic coupling system that enables an operator to change quickly between various attachments used in cleanup from inside the cab of an excavator while conducting demolition work on the Main Plant Process Building at West Valley.

Read the full article here.

February 8, 2024, Olean Times Herald

The Department of Energy’s West Valley Demonstration Project has demolished a former security guardhouse built in 1965, one of the first facilities constructed at the former commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing facility. 

The facility was originally only 168 square feet until two additions increased its square footage to 700. A new guardhouse was constructed last year to better serve the continued needs of the site as it progresses toward the next cleanup phase. 

“While not the most complex or difficult demolition we have done at West Valley, it is still a significant historic milestone in our cleanup efforts,” said Jennifer Dundas, EM’s West Valley assistant director for the Office of Technical Services. “Our crews did an excellent job in their safe execution of this demolition work.” 

Read the full article here.

February 8, 2024, ECA Update

The Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management and its cleanup contractor at the West Valley Demonstration Project have removed the largest of nine tanks from a liquid waste cell as part of the ongoing demolition of the Main Plant Process Building, the office announced on February 6. 

The tanks were used to collect liquid waste from past nuclear fuel reprocessing operations, and later, high-level radioactive waste vitrification processes. 

Read the full article here.

February 7, 2024, Olean Times Herald

The largest of nine tanks from a liquid waste cell at the Main Plant Process Building at the West Valley Demonstration Project has been removed. 

The 20-ton tank was recently removed by the cleanup contractor, CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV), as part of the demolition of the Main Plant Process Building, one of the few original structures remaining at the West Valley Demonstration Project. 

Read the full article here.

February 6, 2024, EM Update

EM’s West Valley Demonstration Project safely demolished a former security guardhouse built in 1965, one of the first facilities constructed at the former commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing facility. 

Originally, the facility was only 168 square feet until two additions increased its square footage to 700. A new guardhouse was constructed last year to beter serve the continued needs of the site as it progresses towards the next cleanup phase. 

“While not the most complex or difficult demolition we have done at West Valley, it is still a significant historic milestone in our cleanup efforts. Our crews did an excellent job in their safe execution of this demolition work,” said Jennifer Dundas, EM’s West Valley assistant director for the Office of Technical Services. 

While the old guardhouse served its purpose well over the years, West Valley’s new facility boasts more space for officers, including updated offices, modern equipment, badging for site staff and storage space. 

Demolition began in mid-December, and the building structure was demolished and packaged over two days. Workers used a large excavator with a bucket and hydraulic thumb atachment to take down the building and load debris into containers to ship offsite for disposal. Last month, workers also completed the teardown of old locker rooms near the old guardhouse, also replaced due to their age. 

“The completion of this demolition changes the landscape of the site,” said Jason Casper, president and general manager for CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV), EM’s cleanup contractor at West Valley. “It is a reminder of the hard work that’s being done to clean up the site for future generations.” 

Dave Schuman, CHBWV safeguards and security manager, reiterated Casper’s sentiments. 

“For me, the demolition of this building signifies an end to an era,” he said. “For almost 60 years, this building served our protective force and could be seen from the road by residents and visitors alike.”