DOE and U.S. Navy take public comment on new nuclear facility

The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy want public input to build a $1.6 billion facility at the Idaho National Laboratory to continue handling spent fuel from the nation’s fleet of nuclear-powered warships.

Director of Regulatory Affairs for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program John McKenzie said a new facility site is needed to replace its current Naval Reactor facilities to keep nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines deployed in a safe and environmentally responsible way.

“We’re dealing with technology that got its birth in the 40s and 50s,”McKenzie said. “We’re operating it in a safe and responsible manner but the cost of doing that is increasing.”

NNPP has identified three alternatives that will allow it to continue the upload, transfer, preparation and packaging of Naval nuclear fuel for disposal:
– No Action, which keeps the current facility and only calls for preventative and corrective maintenance.
– Overhaul, which calls for upgrades to the current facility while operations continue.
– New Facility (Preferred), which calls for construction and operation of a new facility at one of two potential locations within the INL.

NNPP says there are no environmental impacts associated with any of the alternatives, as the program has been ongoing since 1957.

Officials estimate $1.6 billion, including $500 million in construction costs for a new facility, which would begin at the end of 2016. Some 360 construction jobs would be added to the local economy.

Public hearings and information on conducted environmental impact studies will be offered at the following locations:

Aug. 4, 2015
6 – 9 p.m.
Residence Inn
635 W. Broadway St.
Idaho Falls, ID.

Aug. 5, 2015
6 – 9 p.m.
Red Lion Hotel
1555 Pocatello Creek Rd.
Pocatello, ID.

Aug. 6, 2015
6 – 9 p.m.
La Quinta Inn
539 Pole Line Rd.
Twin Falls, ID.