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.

Salamanca Press – Slump in earth near West Valley trenches being monitored

December 19, 2021 – The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is closely monitoring a 3‐foot slump in the earth near the state’s low‐level radioactive waste disposal area adjacent to the West Valley Demonstration Project.

Andrea Mellon of NYSERDA told members of the West Valley Citizens Task Force Wednesday night that cracks began to develop along the North Slope overlooking Erdman Brook in 2018.

The cracks were filled and the area was monitored regularly. Then, in October, the earth slumped about 18 inches on the downslope portion of the north slope. Monitoring was stepped up. Link to article

Olean Times Herald – Slump in earth near West Valley trenches being monitored

December 17, 2021 – The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is closely monitoring a 3‐foot slump in the earth near the state’s low‐level radioactive waste disposal area adjacent to the West Valley Demonstration Project.

Andrea Mellon of NYSERDA told members of the West Valley Citizens Task Force Wednesday night that cracks began to develop along the North Slope overlooking Erdman Brook in 2018.

Partnership for the Public Good – View workshops from this series

Link to list with links to workshop series

EM Update -White Says Next Decade Will Be Transformational for EM Mission Following 2021 Successes

December 14, 2021 – EM is on track to complete the vast majority of its program priorities for 2021 and is well positioned for the future, EM Senior Advisor William “Ike” White said in an address at the 2021 National Cleanup Workshop.

“The next decade is built on the accomplishments of today,” White said. “It’s a decade that will be transformational for the EM mission.”

Earlier this year, EM completed the demolition of the High Flux Beam Reactor exhaust stack at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. Other EM successes this year include treating a record amount tank waste at the Savannah River Site and completing that site’s Saltstone Disposal Unit 7 ahead of schedule and under budget. Link to Update

EM Update -West Valley to Complete Teardown of Final Main Plant Support Facility

December 7, 2021 – EM is set to complete the 69th building demolition at the West Valley Demonstration Project early next year when crews finish knocking down the last structure standing that supported operations at the former Main Plant Process Building.

“The work of our team of dedicated employees continues to change the landscape and footprint around the Main Plant Process Building,” said Stephen Bousquet, EM’s deputy federal project director for the Main Plant demolition. “I continue to be impressed by the accomplishments of our team as we move forward to the demolition of the Main Plant.” Link to article