Olean Times Herald – WVDP worker feedback leads to safe deactivation, path forward for demolition

August 25, 2022 – The Department of Energy and West Valley Demonstration Project recently completed the deactivation of the Product Purification Cell-South (PPC-S),which contained high levels of contamination from former nuclear fuel reprocessing operations.

This effort has contributed to an overall reduction in radiological hazards that will support the demolition of the Main Plant Process Building, a DOE priority for 2022.

The PPC-S measures 5-by-16-by-57 feet and during nuclear fuel reprocessing was used to house the vessels associated with plutonium separation, concentration, material controls and batching for shipping.

Due to its configuration, this cell was a potentially oxygen-deficient confined workspace that required additional planning and work controls, including a trained and ready confined space rescue team. Link to article

For more information

on the West Valley Citizen Task Force, please contact:

Nancy Raca, Facilitator
West Valley Citizen Task Force
c/o Highland Planning
nancy@highland-planning.com