BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT) has been awarded a major contract by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to oversee cleanup operations at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) in West Valley, New York. This $3 billion contract represents a significant step in the ongoing efforts to address legacy nuclear waste and environmental remediation challenges at the site.
The contract, known as Phase 1B, has been awarded to West Valley Cleanup Alliance, LLC (WVCA), a joint venture led by BWXT Technical Services Group, Inc., in partnership with Jacobs Technology, Inc., and Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. Subcontractors Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. and North Wind Portage, Inc. are also integral to the project team. The contract is structured as an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement with a 10-year ordering period and a maximum duration of up to 15 years.
Scope of Work
Under the contract, WVCA will continue ongoing cleanup efforts at WVDP, including:
- Demolition Activities: Removing remaining above- and below-grade structures, including the main plant process building.
- Contaminated Soil Remediation: Addressing and disposing of contaminated soils.
- Waste Management: Managing and disposing of both legacy and newly generated waste.
- Environmental Safeguards: Maintaining security, environmental monitoring, and surveillance.
- Program Support: Providing administrative and operational support to ensure the project’s success.
The comprehensive scope underscores the commitment to mitigating environmental risks, securing the site, and preparing it for potential reuse.
Progress and Commitment
BWXT’s involvement at WVDP dates back to August 2011, as part of the team managing cleanup operations under the previous DOE contract. Heatherly Dukes, President of BWXT Technical Services Group, expressed enthusiasm for continuing the work:
“BWXT has played an important role in deactivation and decommissioning (D&D) at West Valley. Having worked at the site myself, I’m particularly proud of the progress we’ve made and excited about continuing this vital mission with the DOE and the local community.”
Despite significant advancements during the initial phases, substantial work remains. This new contract ensures continuity and further progress in addressing complex challenges associated with the site.
Historical Significance of WVDP
The West Valley Demonstration Project spans approximately 150 acres and is located 35 miles south of Buffalo, New York. It holds the distinction of housing the only commercial spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facility to ever operate in the United States. From 1963 to 1972, the facility processed 640 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel, generating over 600,000 gallons of high-level radioactive waste in the process.
Recognizing the long-term environmental and public health challenges posed by the site, Congress passed the West Valley Demonstration Project Act in 1980. The Act mandated the DOE to demonstrate high-level waste management techniques, including solidifying the liquid radioactive waste, decommissioning contaminated facilities, and transporting waste to a federal repository for permanent disposal.
Challenges and Opportunities
The cleanup of WVDP is a technically challenging and resource-intensive endeavor. Tasks such as demolishing structures, remediating contaminated soil, and safely handling radioactive waste require cutting-edge technology, robust safety protocols, and close collaboration between the federal government, contractors, and local stakeholders.
The success of the cleanup has broader implications for the nuclear energy sector and environmental stewardship in the U.S. It provides a framework for addressing other legacy sites while advancing expertise in waste management and site remediation.
