The U.S. Department of Energy recognized the efforts of the workers at the Idaho National Laboratory site after finishing a nuclear fuel wet-to-dry project ahead of schedule.
Officials from the U.S. Department of Energy, along with Tribal, state and local leaders, contractors and workers, celebrated the significant achievement in the project that has been in progress for nearly 25 years, according to a March 29 news release.
“I greatly appreciate the collaboration within DOE and thank the Idaho National Laboratory and the Naval Reactors team for their efforts and resources that made achieving this milestone possible,” Environmental Management Senior Advisor William “Ike” White said in the release. “We will work together to meet future milestones.”
The project began in the late 1990s and involved the transfer of thousands of spent nuclear fuel elements, which was completed more than nine months ahead of a 1995 Idaho Settlement Agreement milestone, according to the release.
“To the people who did the work: Thank you for your dedication, expertise and professionalism,” White added, according to the release. “Thank you for being accountable to American taxpayers. And most importantly, thank you for protecting the environment.”
“This lab and its people that work here enrich the lives and livelihood across the state,” Idaho Gov. Brad Little said in the release.
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador congratulated everyone for their efforts and the work they did for the country and people of Idaho, the release reported.
“All of you in this room, outside this room and across this complex have helped the Department of Energy complete this tremendous milestone nine months early," Assistant Secretary Katy Huff said in the release. "That is something I never get to say. You have made this possible.”
“I am honored to be among you and to share in this achievement. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude,” Idaho Cleanup Project Manager Connie Flohr said in the release. “I look forward to celebrating future accomplishments together as we fulfill our environmental stewardships to this great land."
Environmental officials were proud of the hard work that went into this, according to the release.
“This was not an 8-to-5 job,” Idaho Environmental Coalition President Ty Blackford said in the release. “This was 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Thank you for your dedication to the mission.”
