August 4, 2020 – West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) crews resumed waste disposal shipments in late July as part of cleanup efforts after the site moved into the second phase of its operations plan in response to COVID-19.

The waste being shipped is from the demolition of a former utility building that began in July. The 6,955-square-foot building is an ancillary structure to the Main Plant Process Building, the facility at the West Valley site. Teardown of the Main Plant is among EM’s 2020 priorities. Link to Update

July 30, 2020 – The West Valley Demonstration Project enhanced its security and safety by purchasing digital trunked radios that can assign frequency channels to various groups of users. The new devices can communicate with existing radios at the WVDP, as well as fire departments, local and state police and emergency medical services. WVDP programmed the new equipment to allow interaction with those emergency response organizations.

“Our old radios were more than 20 years old, and needed to be replaced,” David Schuman said, CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley Safeguards and Security Manager. “These new radios enhance our security posture and improve officer safety. Improving our ability to share and communicate information more accurately will help us to better handle any situation that may arise.” Link to article

July 28, 2020 – Workers at the EM West Valley Demonstration Project began demolishing a former utility

building this month. The 6,955-square-foot building is an ancillary structure to the Main Plant Process Building, the last remaining major facility at the West Valley site. Five other ancillary structures associated with the Main Plant Process Building have been safely torn down, bringing EM’s total number of structures removed at the site to 67. Demolition of the Main Plant Process Building is among EM’s 2020 priorities. “The start of this work will change the landscape and footprint of the WVDP site, and is a reminder of the ongoing progress here,” EM WVDP Director Bryan Bower said. Link to Update

July 28, 2020 – EnergyMark has announced their approval for service in the PJM Electric Grid, which serves 65 million energy users and is the nation’s largest regional power transmission system.

… EnergyMark also develops, owns, and manages Community Solar Farms, including their 10 megawatt West Valley Solar project, located in Ashford, NY. This Community Solar Farm will generate enough electricity to power more than 2,000 homes each year. Link to press release

July 23, 2020 – 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,” Dale Macklem said. “Open communication allows employees and supervisors to be more engaged and understand that what they do matters in our future success.”

Employees openly discussed their questions and concerns with supervisors and senior staff in a collaborative and inclusive manner that resulted in an agreed upon approach in donning and doffing personal protective equipment safely for this particular work activity. Lessons learned from this work activity, which combined COVID‐19 protocols and protection, along with work‐related PPE, will be applied to future cleanup work at the site. Link to article

work at the site.