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DOE Reactor Site Returned To "Green Field" Conditions

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061027-14
Release Date: 10/27/2006 5:28:00 PM

Special to Navy News Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program commemorated the first release of a U.S. nuclear power reactor site for unrestricted future use, the Department of Energy (DOE) S1C Prototype Reactor Site in Windsor, Conn., Oct. 18.

The ceremony concluded 12 years of facility dismantlement and environmental characterization and restoration associated with returning the site to “Green Field” conditions. Working in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program conducted an extensive environmental characterization of the 11 acre site which resulted in more than 140,000 sample results. These agencies also provided independent oversight of the project.

"Environmental stewardship applies across all of our programs, including our DOE facilities just like this one. We hold ourselves to high standards," said Adm. Kirland Donald, director, Navy Nuclear Propulsion.

The current Windsor Site condition makes it suitable for any future use, without restriction, from economic development to recreation.

“You can build a home here, your kids could play here, or they [town of Windsor] can leave it as beautiful grassland open space for natural resource purposes,” said Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner, Gina McCarthy.

The event was hosted by Kirkland and the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, a joint Department of Energy and Navy program. Guest speakers included McCarthy, EPA Regional Administrator Robert Varney, and Mayor Donald Trinks. At the completion of her remarks, McCarthy presented Donald with a certificate of completion, certifying that the State of Connecticut considers the site released without restriction.

“This is the benchmark that everyone should strive for,” said Trinks, following the ceremony.

In his keynote address, Donald reflected on the past service performed by the Windsor Site. Throughout the Cold War, the S1C Prototype nuclear submarine propulsion plant at the site supported the submarines and surface ships of the Navy’s nuclear fleet by testing new equipment and training more than 14,000 naval propulsion plant operators, including Donald.

"This prototype was part of a program that has enjoyed great success over the years. We've been operating reactors for 52 years. Today we have 104 operating reactors with over 5,800 years of safe and reliable operation," Donald said.

At the conclusion of his remarks and on behalf of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Donald presented commemorative plaques to Trinks, McCarthy and Varney. Donald also expressed his appreciation to the town, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, and Environmental Protection Agency, both during site operation and during the completion of the site release effort.

Under Donald, the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is responsible for all aspects of the design, construction, operation, maintenance and disposal of the Navy’s nuclear reactors, including selection and training of the naval operators. Over the past 50 years, Navy warships have safely steamed more than 135 million miles on nuclear power in support of the nation's defense, accumulating over 5,800 reactor-years of operation.