DOE Invites Local and Science Input on Brookhaven Reactor Future
Last December, the Energy Department discovered a tritium leak, thought to be from the spent fuel storage pool of the High Flux Beam Reactor, at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) on Long Island. The announcement resulted in an outcry from the local citizenry and hasty action by DOE, including termination of BNL’s current management contract (see FYI #66 .) The reactor, which had been shut down at the time for normal refueling and maintenance, now awaits a decision by Energy Secretary Federico Pena - expected after January of 1998 - on whether or not it will be restarted.
In response to a directive from Energy Secretary Federico Pena, Martha Krebs, Director of DOE’s Office of Energy Research (OER), drafted an Action Plan to improve the management of environmental, safety and health (ES&H) issues at Brookhaven. A summary of the plan was sent to Long Island residents on June 10 along with a letter from Krebs inviting comments and input. One item of the plan includes involving local residents and scientists in determining “whether to restart the High Flux Beam Reactor” (HFBR.)
According to DOE, BNL’s 30-year-old HFBR “has been an important source of neutrons for scientific research in the U.S.” Approximately 250 to 300 scientists annually use the reactor for research in nuclear and condensed matter physics, and structural chemistry and biology. In a May 1 press release on its Safety Management Evalutation of Brookhaven, performed subsequent to discovery of the tritium leak, DOE gave no indication that it might consider the permanent shutdown of the HFBR. In fact, that document states, “The evaluation did not identify any issues that would require curtailment of activities.”
However, the Action Plan that accompanied Krebs’ June 10 letter notes, “The reactor was shut down for refueling at the time of the discovery of tritium in the groundwater, the source of which is believed to be the reactor spent fuel pool. The reactor has not been restarted, and a number of safety upgrades would need to be made before restart is possible. The issue of whether to restart operation of the reactor, after safety modifications are made, is of great importance and concern to the scientific community, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and local citizens. DOE’s decision-making process will include a review by the scientific community and input from the local community.” FYI #75 provides details of DOE’s plan relating to restart of the HFBR.
The Action Plan for Improved Management of Brookhaven comprises six items: establish clearer roles and responsibilities for the Lab’s landlord (in this case, OER) on issues of ES&H; establish corporate budget processes for ES&H resources; reorganize OER to strengthen its focus on ES&H; change the culture at DOE and BNL to value safe and environmentally sound science; expand community involvement and outreach; and [as noted above] involve the local and science communities in “deciding the future of the High Flux Beam Reactor.”
The plan is still a draft, “awaiting input and guidance from the community.” The Action Plan and information on public input can be found at http://www.doe.bnl.gov or comments can be directed to John Wagoner, Executive Manager, DOE Brookhaven Group, at (516) 344-4980; fax: (516) 344-5933/2361; email: wagoner@bnl.gov
