Energy Department Fined For Failure To Clean Up Radioactive Sludge
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is penalizing the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) $76,000 for failing to begin the removal of some 50 cubic meters of radioactive sludge from the 100 K East Basin within DOE’s facility at Hanford, Washington.
The sludge consists of dirt, water and corroded spent nuclear fuel, which has been stored in the water-filled basin. The EPA has deemed it highly radioactive and high risk waste, and noted that its removal is a top human health and environmental priority.
For more than 50 years plutonium was produced at the Hanford site for the U.S. military. Environmental cleanup and restoration has been the focus of activity at the 586 square mile site since the late 1980s.
The K East and K West Basins at Hanford have been the storage locations for the majority of the site’s spent nuclear fuel since the 1970s. The are two water filled indoor pools that originally held some 2,300 tons of spent nuclear fuel only 400 yards from the Columbia River.
The water becomes radioactive from the fuel and sludge. On several occasions, water from the K East Basin has leaked into the Columbia River.
“The EPA is pleased with the Department of Energy’s progress in removing the spent nuclear fuel from the two K Basins,” said EPA Regional Administrator John Iani. “Over half the original spent fuel has been removed to environmentally protective storage.
“However, sludge removal has not been a success story. Starting — and completing–this activity on schedule is an important part of reducing risks from the Hanford site.”
The DOE agreed to begin removing the sludge by December 31, 2002. Under the agreement it is party to, the department is liable for penalties of $5,000 for the first week of delay and up to $10,000 for each additional week.
Provided by theEnvironmental News Service.