DNFSB: DOE Should Minimize 235-F Delays

Delays to the Department of Energy’s risk reduction actions at Savannah River’s 235-F are “unfortunate,” DNFSB Acting Chair Jessie Roberson said in a March 9 letter to DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz, urging DOE to “minimize future delays.” In a December letter to the Board, DOE said the completion of the 235-F risk reduction plan would be delayed 29 months due to budget setbacks. “The Department of Energy has on a number of occasions evaluated options and developed plans for Pu-238 decontamination,” the letter states. “However, these efforts have not transitioned from planning to execution. Meanwhile the PuFF cells continue to deteriorate. Proceeding with the Pu-238 decontamination effort is necessary to reduce exposure risks to workers and the public. Maintaining the operational expertise of the deactivation crew will be crucial to the safe and timely execution of the decontamination effort.”