Application of large nuclear facility decommissioning lessons learned to smaller projects:from rocky flats to mound

摘要

In January 2001, the U.S. Department of Energy finalized a USD$7 billion contract to completedecommissioning and cleanup of the 6,400-acre (26 Km2), 800-building former nuclear weapons manufacturingplant known as Rocky Flats. The breakthrough approach by DOE and its contractors was cited by the U.S.Government as a model for future nuclear facility decommissioning activities. In December 2002, DOE awardedUSD$314 million, performance-based contract to CH2M HILL to accelerate the safe decommissioning and closureof the much smaller nuclear facility at the former Mound Plant in Miamisburg, Ohio. The former Mound Plantconducted extensive research with radionuclides and other weapons and nuclear related R&D, and productionactivities at the nuclear facility involved manufacture and testing of detonators and explosives that were used ininitiators;tritium recovery;and power sources for the space industry.This poster describes lessons learned thatCH2M HILL, as the managing partner of the Kaiser-Hill Company responsible for decommissioning Rocky Flats(completed in December 2005), successfully applied at the much smaller accelerated decommissioning of the formerMound Plant (completed in July 2006). Specific lessons learned to be discussed include the implementation of: a"projectized approach" to project execution;a comprehensive communication plan involving the workforce andstakeholders;incentivization of the contractor and the workforce for safe decommissioning;techniques for earlyreduction of risk;techniques to reduce infrastructure costs;innovative technologies and strategies;plans to managecontract risks for both the client (DOE) and the contractor;a strong focus on safety;and comprehensive workertransition plans.