VIDEO: West Valley Experts Commend Employees for Ongoing Main Plant Demolition

WEST VALLEY, N.Y. – Watch a new video featuring subject matter experts from EM and cleanup contractor CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV) discussing the ongoing demolition of the Main Plant Process Building at the West Valley Demonstration Project.

"This was something that the people here at West Valley did. Individual engineers and workers figured out the challenges on how we could deactivate the Main Plant, and then demolish the Main Plant. It was all done here. An incredible workforce."

The Main Plant is the last major facility to be removed from the site and represents more than two decades of deactivation and decommissioning work. Witnessing this significant milestone that will forever change the landscape of the site is especially meaningful to longtime West Valley employees.

“The purpose of this video is to thank every employee here, as well as those who worked here in the past,” EM West Valley Director Bryan Bower said. “Individuals with diverse backgrounds and education used their collective experience, expertise and knowledge on how to safely deactivate and take down the Main Plant. That was all done here by an incredible workforce.”

"I couldn't be happier. What's been accomplished here by this workforce, I'd put up against anyone. It's been going for two decades, really, preparing for this moment."

The subject matter experts appearing in the video have more than 200 years of combined experience in nuclear decommissioning and environmental cleanup. They provide technical support and oversight to ensure work is performed in a manner protective of human health and the surrounding environment.

“On September 21, 2022, we began the controlled deconstruction of the Main Plant, and our workforce, our awesome workforce, got us here,” said John Rendall, president of CHBWV. “What’s been accomplished here, by this workforce, is to be commended. Everything that’s happened since the signing of the West Valley Demonstration Project Act has led to this day, and our employees made it happen.”

EM’s planned approach to the Main Plant demolition incorporates best practices and lessons learned from West Valley and the broader EM complex. The approach includes a deliberately planned and sequenced demolition, implementation of robust work controls and use of specialized tools and techniques to safely deconstruct the building.

Demolition of the Main Plant is expected to take approximately 30 months to complete.

Watch the video here.

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