Independent Confirmatory Survey Summary and Results for the Hematite Decommissioning Project Festus, Missouri

摘要

The Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC (WEC) former fuel cycle facility near Festus, Missouri operated from 1956 to 2001 manufacturing uranium from natural and enriched uranium for use as nuclear fuel. The site ceased operational activities in September 2001 and is now proposing to decommission the facility which is now known as the Hematite Decommissioning Project (HDP). From its inception in 1956 through 1974, the facility was used primarily in support of government contracts that required production of highly enriched uranium products. From 1974 through the plant closure in 2001, the focus changed from government contracts to commercial fuel production. Specifically, operations included the conversion of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) gas of various uranium enrichments to uranium oxide, uranium carbide, uranium dioxide pellets, and uranium metal. Secondary operations included research and development and uranium scrap recovery processes. The facility's central land area and the site creek were impacted by the fuel fabrication activities. Currently within permitted license activities, WEC has performed equipment decontamination and dismantlement and has shipped various equipment and material off site. WEC is also proposing to install a rail spur to allow direct loading of rail cars for offsite waste shipments.