Brookhaven Graphite Research Reactor
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is in the process
of decommissioning the Brookhaven Graphite Research Reactor (BGRR), a small
research reactor that was permanently shut down after being operated on the
Lab site from 1950 through 1968.
During the past several years, many interim cleanup
actions were undertaken to ensure the facility is in a safe and stable
condition and to remove sources of groundwater contamination. Detailed
sampling and analysis activities were completed and a
Feasibility Study was
prepared to document the site characteristics and the evaluation of remedial
alternatives.
With safety as their top priority, DOE and Brookhaven National Laboratory
(BNL) will decommission the BGRR in a manner that protects workers, the
public, and the environment. The decommissioning is being conducted under
the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA). In 1992, an
Interagency Agreement (IAG) among the
DOE, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) became effective. The IAG provides
the overall framework for conducting environmental restoration activities at
BNL.
The selected remedial alternative is documented in the BGRR
Record of
Decision which was approved by the DOE and EPA with the concurrence of the NYSDEC on March 17, 2005.
Structures that will be addressed as part of the BGRR
decommissioning project include the graphite pile and biological shield
which are located inside of the reactor building.
Following the removal of the pile and biological shield, an
engineered cap was installed around the reactor building to prevent
water infiltration and the migration of residual contamination remaining in
subsurface soil and underground concrete structures.
The BGRR reactor building is located within the central portion of
the BNL site.
The removal of graphite pile commenced in early 2010 and was completed in
May of 2010; the removal of the biological shield was completed in the first
half of 2012.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009
On March 31, 2009, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced $6 billion in
new funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to
accelerate environmental cleanup work and create thousands of jobs across 12
states – including a major investment in New York State.
“These investments will put Americans to work while cleaning up
contamination from the cold war era,” said Secretary Chu. “It reflects our
commitment to future generations as well as to help local economies get
moving again.”
These projects and the new funding are managed by the Department of
Energy’s Office of Environmental Management, which is responsible for the
risk reduction and cleanup of the environment, one of the largest, most
diverse and technically complex environmental programs in the world.
Funding for New York (totaling $148 million) includes $42 million for
Brookhaven National Laboratory to accelerate the following
projects:
| Facilities/Areas |
Scope of Work |
Scheduled
Completion |
| Former Hazardous Waste Management Facility
Perimeter Area |
Remove and remediate the contaminated soils |
Completed |
| 801/811 Transfer Waste Lines |
Remove underground lines and remediate the
soils |
Completed |
| Brookhaven Graphite Research Reactor (BGRR)
pile removal |
Remove graphite pile blocks |
Completed |
| High Flux Beam Reactor (HFBR) stabilization |
Prepare Bldg. 750 for minimum surveillance
and maintenance |
Completed |
| Bldg.704 Fanhouse |
Remove all structures above ground and below
ground and remediate soils |
Completed |
| HFBR Underground Utilities |
Remove underground lines and remediate the soils |
Completed |
| Bldg. 802 Fanhouse |
Remove all structures above ground and below
ground and remediate soils |
Completed |
| Engineered Cap |
Installation of engineered cap around Building
701 |
Completed |
| BGRR Biological Shield Removal |
Remove Biological Shield |
Completed |
| Bldg. 705 Stack |
Remove all structures above ground and remediate
soils |
2020 |
For further information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) of 2009, please visit the Department of Energy's Environmental
Management website at
EM Recovery. Environmental remediation at Brookhaven National Laboratory is carried
out under requirements of the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980. CERCLA requires that
the selected cleanup remedy must protect human health and the environment.
The clean-up remedy also must be cost-effective, comply with other laws, and
technologies, and resource-recovery options.
For additional information, contact:
John Carter
Director, Community Affairs
U. S. Department of Energy
(631) 344-5195
Jeanne D'Ascoli
Community Relations Manager
Brookhaven National Laboratory
(631) 344-2277
Diane Rocco
Director, Environmental Restoration Projects
Brookhaven National Laboratory
(631) 344-8122
Last Modified: May 11, 2012
Please forward all questions about this site to:
John Burke
|
