What’s the status of start up of a key SRS facility to process liquid high-level waste? DOE has said that the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) would start in March 2020 but then said April and then that it would be in Fiscal Year 2020. So, DOE, is the facility facing start-up problems and delays or not?
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board – Feb. 21, 2020 report:
“Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF): DOE provided Parsons direction on the corrective action plans (CAP) for the DOE Operational Readiness Review findings. CAPs will be approved by DOE, should evaluate any overall programmatic deficiencies related to the specific finding, and contain a causal analysis, Extent of Condition review, actions for independent verification of CAP closure, and actions for reviewing the effectiveness of implementation. Actions that will not be completed until after startup are to include a description of the risks and mitigating actions or compensatory measures. Upon completion of all pre-start closure packages, Parsons is to conduct a comprehensive management review verifying the readiness of SWPF to initiate hot operations and provide DOE a formal request for startup authorization.”
See SRS Watch post of March 4, 2020: What’s Up with the Start-up of the $2.3-Billion (and Rising?) SWPF at SRS? March, April or Not?