During work to prepare the building for demolition, a spill of highly radioactive material was discovered in the soil beneath the building, called the 300-296 Waste Site. Although analysis shows that the contaminants in the soil are stable and not migrating toward groundwater or the river, remediation of the waste site is a priority because of it’s location.

Plans were developed to remotely excavate the contaminated area, but during the process of installing micropiles below the hot cell, additional contamination was discovered.

The Department of Energy, contractor Central Plateau Cleanup Company, and regulator, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are currently finalizing plans for a new approach to remediating the waste site. Under this revised plan, the facility will first be deactivated and demolished. Next, a superstructure will be constructed over the remaining foundation, then the soil below will be remediated.