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.

DOE EM Update – West Valley Safely Demolishes Sixth Ancillary Facility Surrounding Main Plant

August 18, 2020 – Crews recently demolished the 6,955 square foot Utility Room building (UR) at the West Valley Demonstration Project. Built in 1964, the UR was used to produce and distribute various utilities required for Main Plant processes. This is the sixth of seven Main Plant support structures demolished, and brings EM’s total number of structures removed at West Valley to 67.

The UR was constructed with a steel frame, concrete block, and masonry exterior. The single story building measures 79 feet wide, 88 feet long and 23 feet high. Link to Update

West Seneca Bee – Indigenous Women’s Initiatives, WNY Peace Center remember victims of nuclear bombings

August 13, 2020 – The Indigenous Women’s Initiatives and the WNY Peace Center gifted the Buffalo History Museum last Thursday with photographs connected to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in addition to a petition from the nuclear bombing survivors.

This event took place outdoors at the Buffalo History Museum exactly 75 years after the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. Through these gifts to the museum, the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs hopes to encourage activities for peace and the elimination of nuclear weapons. Link to article

WBFO – Two cultural histories converge at Buffalo History Museum

August 10, 2020 – On land once part of the Seneca Buffalo Creek Reservation, dancers, drummers and singers from the Haudenausaunee confederacy showed some of their cultural traditions and values on Sunday at the Buffalo History Museum. They were there as part of the United Nations International Day of World Indigenous Peoples and NuclearFree Future Day. Link to article

Olean Times Herald – Reed tours West Valley Demonstration Project site

August 7, 2020 – U.S. Rep. Tom Reed visited the West Valley Demonstration Project Thursday to tour the facility, review the latest developments on the nuclear cleanup efforts and discuss funding increases for the program.

The House of Representatives’ recent appropriations bill allocated $88 million for the West Valley cleanup program, a nearly $13 million increase from the previous fiscal year. Reed has been a long‐time advocate for the cleanup effort. Link to article

Salamanca Press – Workers replace lifting equipment at WVDP for future demolition activities

August 6-12 – A Facility Disposition crew at EM’s West Valley Demonstration Project replaced the hoist in the Equipment Decontamination Room during essential mission‐critical operations.

This was the first work activity that involved both COVID‐19 protocols and radiological personal protective equipment and is associated with the future demolition of the Main Plant Process Building — an EM2020 Priority.

The site is currently in Phase 2 of its Work Resumption Plan.

“This is a good example of what can be accomplished when issues are discussed and ideas are shared,” said Dale Macklem. “Open communication allows employees and supervisors to be more engaged, and understand that what they do matters in our future success.” Link to article