ECA Update: October 1, 2014 - DOE IG Releases Report on LANL TRU Waste Issues
Published: Wed, 10/01/14
Remediation of Selected Transuranic Waste Drums at Los Alamos National Laboratory - Potential Impact on the Shutdown of the Department's Waste Isolation Plant
Today, the Department of Energy's (DOE) Inspector General released a critical report on DOE and National Nuclear Security Administration's handling of waste packaging of transuranic (TRU) waste. This report comes shortly after management changes were made late last month in Los Alamos because of TRU waste issues. A summary of the report, from the Inspector General, is below and the full report can be found here.
"The Department of Energy's (Department) Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is one of the Nation's premier national security laboratories. Los Alamos National Security, LLC manages and operates LANL. As part of its mission, LANL generated a large volume of transuranic (TRU) waste consisting mostly of radioactively contaminated clothing, tools, rags, debris and soil. In January 2012, a framework agreement was established between the Department and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) to ship 3,706 cubic meters of combustible and dispersible TRU waste from LANL to the Department's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, for permanent disposal by June 30, 2014. The Department established the Central Characterization Project to characterize and certify waste to help ensure that it met WIPP's waste acceptance criteria.
"On February 14, 2014, a radiological release from one TRU waste drum was detected in the underground repository at WIPP. As a consequence, underground operations at WIPP were suspended and the Nation's only operating deep geologic repository for the permanent disposal of defense-related TRU waste was shut down for an indefinite period. The impact of the shutdown, both incurred to date and in the future is valued in terms of tens of millions of dollars. We initiated a special inquiry to determine whether LANL appropriately managed the remediation and repackaging of waste shipped to WIPP.
"Our review identified several major deficiencies in LANL's procedures for the development and approval of waste packaging and remediation techniques that may have contributed to the radiological event. Of particular concern, not all waste management procedures at LANL were properly vetted through the established procedure revision process nor did they conform to established environmental requirements. In our view, immediate action is necessary to ensure that these matters are addressed and fully resolved before TRU waste operations are resumed, or, for that matter, before future mixed radioactive hazardous waste operations are initiated. Management concurred with the report's findings and recommendations and stated that the results of our investigation are generally consistent with findings from internal investigations."
Department of Energy Issues Draft Loan Guarantee Solicitation for Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects
DOE
September 30, 2014
Washington D.C. -- The Department of Energy has issued a draft solicitation that would provide up to $12.6 billion in loan guarantees for Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects, supporting the Administration's all-of-the-above energy strategy and bringing the nation closer to its low-carbon future. Once finalized, these loan guarantees will provide critical financing to help commercialize advanced nuclear energy technologies, supporting projects that are often unable to secure full commercial financing due to their scale and use of innovative technology. This draft solicitation represents another step in the Department's commitment to help overcome the financial barriers to the deployment of next generation technologies that will diversify America's clean energy portfolio.
"For the first time in more than 30 years, new nuclear power plants are under construction in the United States," said Secretary Ernest Moniz. "This solicitation would build on that investment and help support the construction of the next generation of safe and secure nuclear energy projects. Expanding on the Administration's commitment to an all-of-the-above energy strategy, these projects will provide clean energy to American families and businesses."
Authorized by Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects Solicitation would provide loan guarantees to support construction of innovative nuclear energy and front-end nuclear projects in the United States that reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions. While any project that meets the eligibility requirements may apply, the Department has identified four key technology areas of interest in the draft solicitation: advanced nuclear reactors, small modular reactors, upgrades and uprates at existing facilities, and front-end nuclear projects.
The Department welcomes public comment on a range of issues and will consider public feedback provided during the 30-day public comment period in defining the scope of the final solicitation. The draft solicitation can be found online at http://www.energy.gov/lpo.
Once the solicitation is finalized, the Department's Loan Programs Office (LPO) will have open solicitations in four areas, including the $8 billion Advanced Fossil Energy Projects Solicitation, the $4 billion Renewable Energy and Efficient Energy Projects Solicitation and the $16 billion Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program.
Currently, LPO supports a diverse portfolio of more than $30 billion in loans, loan guarantees, and commitments, supporting more than 30 projects nationwide. The projects that LPO has supported include one of the world's largest wind farms; several of the world's largest solar generation and thermal energy storage systems; and more than a dozen new or retooled auto manufacturing plants across the country. |
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