EM Update | Vol. 11, Issue 11 | March 19, 2019

• ETTP’s Longest Operating Facility Demolished in Oak Ridge
• SRS Begins Constructing Large-Scale Disposal Unit
• From Graphic Artist to Idaho Nuclear Facility Manager
• SRS-Area Team Wins Regional DOE Science Bowl
• Hanford Site Focuses on the Workforce of the Future
• Remembering Utah’s Famous Geologist Decades Before Moab Cleanup

ETTP’s Longest Operating Facility Demolished in Oak Ridge

Workers have completed demolition on Building K-1414, a garage that was the longest operating facility at the East Tennessee Technology Park.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Workers recently completed demolition on Building K-1414, a garage that was the longest operating facility at the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP).

   The structure was built in 1949 and operated until early 2018—long after the site’s uranium enrichment operations ceased in the mid-1980s. The building covered more than 12,000 square feet and served as the maintenance hub and fueling station for vehicles used to support the site’s enrichment, and later, cleanup missions.

   As part of EM and contractor UCOR’s planning efforts to complete cleanup at ETTP and transfer property to private ownership, the company transitioned its fleet of vehicles to the General Services Administration. This change allowed the fleet to be serviced and fueled by outside private vendors, and it enabled UCOR to close garage operations and prepare the building for demolition.

Earlier this month, crews began taking down the 12,000 square foot Building K-1414, which was built in 1949 and operated until 2018.

   "Every demolition matters as we work toward our goal of removing all of the old, excess, and contaminated structures at ETTP by the end of 2020,” said Karen Deacon, acting ETTP portfolio federal project director for the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM). “This project highlights UCOR’s attention to the many facets required to complete cleanup and transfer the site.”

   Cleanup operations at ETTP have included the demolition of the uranium enrichment complex’s five massive gaseous diffusion buildings that spanned 4.5 million square feet, removal of hundreds of various support facilities, and remediation of soil and groundwater.

   Nearby, other crews are currently demolishing ETTP’s largest remaining structure—Building 1037. Additionally, demolition is scheduled to begin this spring on the final Poplar Creek Facility, which will complete the removal of the most contaminated series of buildings left at the site.

   Since OREM began cleanup at ETTP, the program has taken down more than 400 facilities and transferred nearly 1,300 acres from government ownership in its goal to convert the site into a privately-owned and operated industrial park.

–Contributor: Wayne McKinney

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SRS Begins Constructing Large-Scale Disposal Unit

A progress photo from February 2019 shows the initial construction of the outer shell of Saltstone Disposal Unit 7 at the Savannah River Site.

AIKEN, S.C. – EM and its liquid waste contractor at the Savannah River Site (SRS), Savannah River Remediation (SRR), has begun constructing the outer shell of the site’s second large-scale saltstone disposal unit.

   Saltstone Disposal Unit (SDU) 7 is designed to hold 32 million gallons of saltstone, a non-hazardous waste form that is produced by treating decontaminated salt waste with dry materials to create a cement-like grout. The unit’s outer structure is being constructed in 25 different sections. A 220-ton crane is placing the formwork. The outer shell is made of high-strength, reinforced concrete, which will be wrapped with seven layers and 341 miles of steel cable for added strength. It will take about seven months to complete the shell.

   When complete, SDU 7 will be 43 feet high and 375 feet in diameter, just like the original mega-volume unit built next to it, SDU 6.

A photo from March 2019 shows progress to the Saltstone Disposal Unit (SDU) 7 outer shell construction. SDU 6 is in the background.

   The inside of the SDU will be lined with a rubber coating that will be epoxy-bonded to the floors and walls. The liner protects the wall structure from chemical degradation over time and potential leakage during the filling of the units.

   The SDUs are designed to permanently dispose of the treated decontaminated salt solution removed from SRS’s high-level tank waste in the form of saltstone. SDU 7, as well as future additional SDUs, are being constructed to accommodate the very large volume of decontaminated salt solution that will be generated at the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF), the newly constructed salt waste treatment facility currently undergoing testing and commissioning.

   SWPF will process at much higher rates than ever accomplished onsite by the current pilot-scale facility, making SDU 7 a critical component of the future of waste disposition at SRS, according to DOE-Savannah River SDU 7 Federal Project Director Shayne Farrell.

   “We look forward to continued safe progress as we build this key structure,” Farrell said. 

   The larger SDU design will result in substantial cost savings over the life of the liquid waste project. The design requires less infrastructure and materials to design and build seven of the large-scale units compared to the 80 smaller units originally proposed to store the remaining waste.

   SDU 7 construction began last year and is on schedule to be completed by spring 2022. After the shell is completed, the next step in the project is to complete the roof structure, and then wrap the unit with the steel cable and install the interior rubber liner.

–Contributor: Colleen Hart

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From Graphic Artist to Idaho Nuclear Facility Manager

Spent Nuclear Fuel Support Manager Mark Stubblefield and Nuclear Facility Manager Pat Spaulding review maintenance logs of repairs.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – In any Nuclear Hazard Category 2 or 3 facility, when the lights come on in the morning, until crews go home at night, there’s one critical position that oversees the compliance and safety of all operations, the Nuclear Facility Manager (NFM).

   Individuals who strive to become an NFM share several common attributes which help to perform the job. They have a questioning attitude, a special eye for details, and a strong sense of responsibility and knowledge that they are responsible for all the work happening in their facility.

   Earlier this month the NFM organization welcomed a new member who brings a distinctly new quality to the group. Pat Spaulding became the first female NFM on the Idaho Cleanup Project Core managed by contractor Fluor Idaho.

   Pat’s new position is the latest in a career that began 33 years ago as a graphic artist and typesetter at the Idaho National Laboratory. Her first glimpse of being an NFM came when she accepted a position as a Spent Nuclear Fuel shift supervisor. As part of her responsibilities, she worked closely with the NFM on that project, Spent Nuclear Fuel Support Manager Mark Stubblefield. Mark recognized Pat’s interest and determination to learn more and began to mentor her in the nuclear operations side of work.

   “Once I got into this field and understood how involved an NFM is with every aspect of work, I knew this is the job where I wanted to be,” Pat said. “I have been so lucky to have a mentor like Mark to help me understand the scope of the job and to always be there with helpful answers and suggestions to my questions.”

Pam Spaulding's job as Nuclear Facilities Manager is to keep track of all activities at the Outdoor Fuel Storage facility at DOE's Idaho Site.

   Pat has qualified as an NFM on each of the three spent fuel projects located at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.

   “I think the best thing about this job is the satisfaction I get from knowing that I’m helping to ensure our work is done compliantly and making sure my co-workers have a safe work environment,” she said.

   Thinking back to her first job as a graphic artist, Pat is amazed at how far she has come in her career.. “I truly enjoy my job. I’m detail oriented and appreciate the responsibility that rides on what I do. A NFM makes sure the safety basis requirements are implemented in every aspect of the job and because of that, I know I’m contributing to all work being performed safely and compliantly.”

–Contributor: Rick Dale

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SRS-Area Team Wins Regional DOE Science Bowl

DOE Science Bowl teams from Greenbrier High School (foreground) and North Augusta High School, both from South Carolina, make last minute preparations before the next round during a regional competition sponsored by DOE Savannah River.

AIKEN, S.C. – Many of our country’s future scientists, engineers and mathematicians recently put their knowledge to the test during this year’s U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site (SRS) Regional Science Bowl® Competition, which attracted 24 teams from across South Carolina and the greater Augusta, Ga. area.

   This year's winning team from Lakeside High School, Evans, Ga., earned an all-expense paid trip to the national competition to be held April 25-29 in Washington, D.C. The national event also offers several days of hands-on science activities, seminars and sightseeing.

   Nation Ford High School, Fort Mill, S.C., came in second, while third place was achieved by the South Carolina Governor's School, Greenville, S.C. The day-long event was held at the University of South Carolina Aiken

   The format used is similar to the television show “Jeopardy,” where teams face-off during a timed period of fast-paced question-and-answers. Questions cover a wide range of academic disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, energy and math.

   This year’s regional contest involved 119 students from 17 high schools. 

   “The teams arrive fully prepared after extensive practice. I’m always impressed with how much information they can retain and how calm they remain,” said Kim Mitchell of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions Education Outreach.

   Charlton Hill, a senior at Aiken High School, stated the event quickly shows just how little knowledge each of us possesses. "It's interesting to see if you're a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond. It's humbling," he said. "But it's also a learning experience that I hope to take a lot away from.”

   DOE created the National Science Bowl (NSB) in 1991 to encourage students to excel in mathematics and science and to pursue careers in these fields. Approximately 290,000 students have participated in the NSB throughout its 28-year history.

   Over the next several months, more than 9,000 high school students and 4,500 middle school students will compete in 65 high school and 50 middle school regional Science Bowl tournaments. The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science manages the National Science Bowl and sponsors the NSB finals.

   Volunteers from the community and multiple EM contractors at SRS work as scorekeepers, timers, judges and many other important functions during the regional tournament each year. “We heavily depend on our volunteers and greatly appreciate their help,” said Mitchell. “It’s quite a team effort.”

–Contibutor: DT Townsend

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Hanford Site Focuses on the Workforce of the Future

Recent graduates of the Supporting Talent & Engaging Professionals for Success (STEPS) program are shown. STEPS is a six-month program that provides participating employees of Hanford contractor Mission Support Alliance with an opportunity to focus on their growth as future leaders.

RICHLAND, Wash. – Outside of cleanup, one of the biggest priorities at the Hanford Site is developing its future workforce. Over the next five years, nearly 30 percent of Hanford workers will be eligible for retirement. This figure represents nearly 3,000 people with specialized experience, training and knowledge.

   EM and its Richland Operations Office contractor Mission Support Alliance (MSA) are developing programs to attract new employees and keep current employees engaged. These include working with local schools and organizations, providing academic scholarships, offering leadership-training classes, and building mentor relationships.

Jessica Esparza, a staffing specialist with MSA, right, assists a high school student with a mock interview and resume advice.

   “Our goal is to create a set of programs and initiatives that will make MSA the employer of choice,” said Todd Beyers, MSA vice president of human resources. “That means developing programs that are attractive to incoming employees, beneficial to developing our team and provide growth opportunities internally.”

   Having awarded $740,000 since 2009, the company scholarship program provides financial aid to employee dependents, supporting students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and other diverse careers.

   The contractor also organizes an annual community event focused on developing the future workforce. Connect Tri-Cities provides thousands of diverse job seekers the opportunity to meet with local businesses, Hanford contractors, trade unions, universities, and other organizations.

Attendees at the second annual Connect Tri-Cities event listen to the job opportunities available at one local company. More than 1,000 local high school students and job seekers attended the event where they were able to learn about potential job opportunities and receive personalized coaching sessions on resume writing and interview preparation.

   While pursuing a degree, college-level students have the opportunity to get hands-on experience through a co-op intern program. As a part of the program, students work year round in career areas such as engineering, finance and project management.

   Employees can also participate in the Supporting Talent & Engaging Professionals for Success (STEPS) program, a six-month program that provides employees an opportunity to focus on their growth as future leaders.

–Contributor: Patrick Conrad

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Remembering Utah’s Famous Geologist Decades Before Moab Cleanup

MOAB, Utah – With its unique landscape and national and state parks, Moab is a tourist destination for adventurers and nature enthusiasts.

   But it was a different place decades ago. In the 1950s, the sleepy agricultural town became a hotbed for aspiring prospectors and miners looking to get rich after a local discovery of high-grade uranium ore.

   The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), the predecessor agency to DOE, offered to pay people to find the ore. Charlie Steen, a trained geologist from Texas, headed to the Colorado Plateau with his pregnant wife and children in an old Jeep to look for it, according to Canyon Legacy, a publication by the Moab Museum.

   Before moving, Steen had been fired from a job and was making ends meet in home improvement. He combed southeast Utah for the high-grade uranium ore. After years of scraping by and searching for the element, he discovered the largest deposit of high-grade uranium ore in the U.S., worth $60 million.

   As a result, Moab and the surrounding area became the center of a new “gold rush.”

   Steen’s discovery of the first of many major uranium ore bodies in the Lisbon Valley area ushered in a new mining era that led not only to riches for many people but also to the construction of the Moab mill, the world’s largest uranium ore processing mill at that time. The mill helped to generate additional jobs and property taxes for the area.

Charlie Steen in 1955. Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society.

   The Uranium Reduction Company built the mill in 1956 and operated it until 1962, when the assets were sold to Atlas Minerals Corporation. Uranium concentrate, the milling product, was sold to the AEC through December 1970.

   When Moab milling operations ceased in 1984, an unlined impoundment on the site contained an estimated 16 million tons of uranium mill tailings and tailings-contaminated soil leftover from processing uranium ore.

   Atlas declared bankruptcy in 1998. In 2001, congressional legislation allowed for the transfer of responsibility for the millsite to DOE. DOE has reclamation and long-term management responsibilities for the site, now known as EM’s Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project. The Moab UMTRA Project is relocating tailings and other contaminated materials from the Moab Site to an engineered disposal cell constructed near Crescent Junction, Utah. EM’s work scope also includes active remediation of groundwater at the Moab Site.

   Steen and his wife M.L. donated land to a school and area churches and gave money to help build a new hospital, according to the Moab Times-Independent. In 1992, the city of Moab marked the 40th anniversary of Steen’s discovery and recognized the family’s contributions to the area.

   Moab is still connected to its past. Nearby Canyonlands National Park has remnants from the era of milling, with mining roads now used by people to explore the park by vehicle. The Moab Museum, established in 1958, is being renovated and is set to reopen this year. The mansion where the Steens lived atop a hill near the Moab UMTRA Project is now a restaurant.

–Contributor: Honora Thompson

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