After protracted talks on a path forward for commissioning and startup of the Salt Waste Processing Facility, contractor Parsons has recently submitted to the Department of Energy a cost-share proposal that’s believed to be the company’s ‘best and final offer’ for the startup work, WC Monitor has learned. The proposal will be sent to DOE Deputy Secretary Dan Poneman for review late this week or early next. While DOE and Parsons reached an agreement-in-principle last June on the construction portion of the plant, the parties have yet to make a deal on startup, and reviews have warned that delays beyond the fall could lead to issues at the project. DOE’s fact finding process for the startup talks begin in September, and formal negotiations began in December. Parsons yesterday referred request for comment to DOE, which did not respond.
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