Crews Tear Down Four Buildings at ETEC Since Active Cleanup Resumed Last Week

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. – EM has marked the successful demolition of four buildings at the Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC) since July 21, making continued progress in the active cleanup at the former nuclear and liquid metals research site in Ventura County, California.

Those demolished structures include an office building, instrumentation laboratory, ancillary guard station, and storage shed at the Radioactive Materials Handling Facility (RMHF) complex. Cleanup activities resumed on July 21.

“I am excited at the progress the team has accomplished in the first few weeks at ETEC. The team is working hard to anticipate challenges and keep this cleanup moving safely and efficiently,” said ETEC Federal Project Director John Jones.

Removing the RMHF facilities, a set of 10 buildings constructed in 1959 and used for the processing, packaging, and shipment of radioactive and mixed hazardous wastes during site operations that ended in 1988, will reduce potential risk of release of hazardous substances due to wildfires or erosion from severe storms.

Site demolition and removal of debris is on track and expected to take approximately six months. Activities are being conducted under a recently signed agreement between the DOE and the State of California, and in adherence to safety practices recommended to protect workers from exposure to the coronavirus. Debris from the cleanup is being transported outside the State of California for disposal at licensed commercial disposal facilities.

ETEC, located in Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, served as a premier research facility from the 1950s until the end of active operations. Since the 1980s, more than 200 structures on the site have been demolished and removed; after completing RMHF demolition, only eight DOE structures will remain.