Checking off an EM 2023 priority, crews retrieved the last spent nuclear fuel from a water-filled basin and safely transferred possession of the fuel elements to a complex at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site last week, completing the project more than nine months ahead of a milestone under an agreement with the state of Idaho.

It was an accomplishment more than two decades in the making. EM worked closely with DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy and the Office of Naval Reactors Idaho Branch Office, and five contracting companies supported the effort over the years, including current EM contractor Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC). The fuel was transferred from wet to dry storage to prepare for its final disposition at an offsite repository.

“The completion of the spent nuclear fuel wet-to dry storage transfer project is certainly one of the Idaho National Laboratory Site’s most meaningful cleanup accomplishments to date,” said Connie Flohr, manager of EM’s Idaho Cleanup Project. “The removal of the last elements in underwater storage was a well-coordinated effort by our high-performing workforce and brings an end to a massive effort to safely transfer thousands of spent nuclear fuel elements from wet to dry storage over the past decade.”

EM Senior Advisor William “Ike” White, Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador and other elected officials and dignitaries are set to recognize the achievements of employees and the safe completion of the milestone on March 28 at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC).

Original source can be found here.