Lab’s last reactor fuel shipped to South Carolina for storage
The last nuclear fuel at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory was shipped off site in January, 2003. Forty-one elements from the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor (BMRR), which was permanently shut down in December 2000, were transported by truck to DOE’s Savannah River Site in South Carolina.
The fuel elements were placed in two casks licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission specifically for this purpose. The casks were loaded onto a truck licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. New York State Police inspected the truck and the load for compliance with the Level VI Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance standard, the highest level of inspection for commercial vehicle shipping. The standard is recognized by other states, and allowed the shipment to proceed without further inspections along the way.
Prior to shipment, the on-site DOE office, in accordance with Federal regulations, notified the governor designees of each state through which the fuel would travel. DOE also informed state and local law enforcement agencies along the route.
Study concludes native plants ineffective at metal removal
One of the most interesting technologies considered for cleaning up Peconic River sediment on and just off of the Lab property was phytoremediation – the use of plants. Following community requests, the U.S. Department of Energy and Brookhaven National Laboratory explored the use of native Peconic River plant species. Plant and sediment samples from the Peconic were collected and analyzed to see if the river sediment cleanup could be accomplished with this technology.
After extensive consideration that included a workshop, analytical work, a detailed report, and a peer review, the Laboratory concluded that using phytoremediation would still leave undesirable contaminants in the Peconic River sediment.
The Lab presented the Peconic-specific evaluation to its Community Advisory Council, which agreed there are better solutions. After evaluating the results and input from the community, phytoremediation is no longer being considered for sediment cleanup. While this technology is very promising under the right conditions, the Peconic River presents specific challenges that make phytoremediation inappropriate.
Cleanup project complete
The cleanup of soils and surface structures historically associated with the decontamination of heavy equipment at Bldg. 650 was completed on schedule.
The primary contaminants of concern, strontium-90 and cesium-137, were removed from a 30-foot by 30-foot concrete pad. Associated drainage pipe and a nearby sump where the pipe discharged were also cleaned up. Contaminated soils and materials were shipped offsite by railcar to a licensed disposal facility, marking the final stage of the four-month project.
Several independent checks were done by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education to ensure the cleanup met project goals.
DOE seeks ‘end state vision’
The Laboratory is working closely with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), regulatory agencies and community advisory groups to establish an “end state vision” for the Laboratory’s cleanup program. The work is part of DOE’s effort to more efficiently and effectively complete its environmental cleanup program across the country while continuing to protect human health and the environment.
By defining the cleanup expectations ( “end state”) upfront, DOE is better able to focus its limited resources and complete safe and protective cleanup faster and more efficiently. Information about DOE’s program is online at www.em.doe.gov/rbes/. Specific information about the Laboratory’s implementation of this program will be available on the BNL web site (www.bnl.gov) as it becomes available.