Naval Reactor Facility meets cleanup milestone

The Naval Reactors Facility (NRF) received the final shipment of spent nuclear fuel from the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC) this Tuesday. Both facilities are located on the Idaho National Laboratory.

The shipment closes an effort begun in 2008 to return naval spent fuel stored at INTEC to the NRF for processing into dry storage.

The two facilities have jointly operated for more than 60 years to process and handle spent naval reactor fuel. As part of the 1995 Settlement Agreement, the government promised to move spent fuel stored at INTEC to the NRF for treatment and placement into dry storage.

“Once removed from the water pool, our spent fuel is packaged and stored dry in robust, sealed
containers,” says Andy Wentzel, Site Director of the Naval Reactors Facility. “The effort to remove fuel out of the INTEC water pool demonstrates our continued commitment to meet our obligations to the State. This achievement was the result of the excellent work done by our dedicated employees at both facilities.”

Completion of the final shipment this week marks a significant milestone in the terms of that agreement.