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.

Olean Times Herald – Bill for long‐term West Valley funding heads to Trump’s desk

December 4, 2019 – A bill to authorizing $75 million a year for the West Valley Demonstration Project through 2026 to secure and remove nuclear waste passed the Senate and is headed to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

“For the first time in more than 35 years, our friends and neighbors will have the peace of mind that the West Valley Demonstration Project cleanup is a top priority and has long term funding authorization from Washington,” U.S. Rep Tom Reed said Tuesday. “We are excited about this bill’s success as we ensure the health and safety of our environment in Western New York for years to come.” Link to article

Springville Journal – Ashford to host fourth annual tree lighting

November 28, 2019 – A holiday tradition in the Town of Ashford is returning for the fourth year. The annual Ashford tree lighting ceremony will be on Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. in front of the Ashford Community Center, located at 9377 Route 240, in West Valley and will provide many fun activities for people of all ages.

During the tree lighting, a variety of fun activities will be held including a guest speaker, singing from the West Valley Central School chorus, refreshments from the Girls Scouts and the 4H Club, the Boy Scouts will be conducting the Pledge of Allegiance and there will be a visit from Santa Claus on a decorated fire truck. The tree for the lighting will be donated by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Ashford Highway Department will be putting up the tree. Link to article

Salamanca Press – WVDP volunteers deliver over 110K pounds of food to area pantries

November 25, 2019 – SALAMANCA — To spread goodwill for the upcoming holiday season, employees from the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) and its subcontractors gathered at Sander’s Parkview on Nov. 15, volunteering to once again distribute food to nine local food pantries.

Led by Lettie Chilson, WVDP facility manager and food drive coordinator, the group loaded the food donations onto two trucks provided by subcontractor American DND. Then, they split into two different teams to deliver hundreds of cases of food and turkeys to area food pantries. Link to article

Springville Times – WVDP volunteers deliver over 110K pounds of food to area pantries

November 22, 2019 – To spread goodwill for the upcoming holiday season, employees from the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) and its subcontractors gathered at Sander’s Parkview on Nov. 15, volunteering to once again distribute food to nine local food pantries, including Fellowship Hill Ministries and the Concord Food Pantry in Springville.

Springville/Ellicottville Pennysaver & News – WVDP completes NDA north slope erosion control project

November 23, 2019 – Workers recently completed the installation of protective armoring on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission-Licensed Disposal Area’s (NDA) drainage channel and north slope. The armoring consists of interlocking concrete blocks that are designed to prevent soil erosion from changing weather conditions. This work follows the recent completion of the demolition of the NDA’s former Liquid Pretreatment System and installation of a geomembrane cover over the vacated area. Link to article