EM’s budget request for fiscal year 2023 will support advancements across the program complex, including progress on treating tank waste, skyline-changing building demolition, and initiatives to bolster cybersecurity, workforce development and outreach to communities, according to a newly released document.
The program’s plans for continued progress in environmental cleanup are discussed in a detailed accounting that was provided to Congress last week. DOE’s 490-page “congressional justification” book for EM provides the most in-depth information about the program’s plans for the next fiscal year.
“The FY 2023 investment of $7,643,202,000 in discretionary budget authority will fund activities to maintain a safe and secure posture in the EM complex, while maximizing cleanup activities,” according to the document. “EM is ready to effectively and efficiently utilize the resources the request provides to make significant progress.”
Among highlights:
- At the Hanford Site, the budget request is focused on work to begin hot commissioning and ramp up the capability of the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program. It also supports safe operations, including a robust tank integrity program at the site’s tank farms to protect workers, the public and the environment, and meet regulatory commitments.
- At the Idaho National Laboratory Site, the request continues operation of the Integrated Waste Treatment Unit to begin treating sodium-bearing tank waste, and supports spent nuclear fuel activities such as continued progress to meet a state milestone of moving all spent nuclear fuel out of wet storage by 2023.
- At Oak Ridge, the budget request supports the transition to a greater focus on the cleanup of high risk excess facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y-12 National Security Complex, following successful deactivation and decommissioning activities at the East Tennessee Technology Park.
- At the Portsmouth Site, the request will support continued construction at the On-Site Waste Disposal Facility; completion of demolition of the X-326 process building; initiation of pre-demolition of the X-333 process building; and initiation of deactivation of the X-330 process building.
- At the West Valley Demonstration Project, the budget request continues to support the ongoing demolition of the Main Plant Process Building, the highest hazard facility remaining on the site.
“To advance cleanup, EM will utilize science-based approaches; apply best practices and lessons learned; identify, develop, and deploy practical technological solutions derived from scientific research; and look for innovative and sustainable practices that make cleanup safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective,” according to the document.
Full details of the DOE budget request for EM are available here.
Original source can be found here.
