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Air quality construction permit approved for Savannah River Plutonium Processing facility
The South Carolina Department of Health and Evnrionmental Control approved an air quality construction permit for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility project at the Savannah River Site. Photo provided courtesy of the Savannah River Site The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control recently approved an air quality construction permit for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility project at the Savannah River Site. Following a multi-year effort led by the Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Environmental Stewardship, Safety, Health, Quality and Waste Management group, the state department of health issued an Air Quality Construction Permit on Aug. 10, according to a news release.The Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility is a key component of the site’s plutonium pit production mission, which the National Nuclear Security Administration has identified as a national priority, according to a press release. The Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility is part of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s two-site strategy between Savannah River Site and Los Alamos National Laboratory to produce the plutonium pits needed for restoring the nation’s nuclear weapons modernization program capabilities. The Savannah River Site will be required to produce a minimum of 50 war reserve pits per year, while Los Alamos National Laboratory will be required to produce 30 war reserve pits per year. The original project schedule had the Air Quality Construction Permit issuance calculated for 2024. The Clean Air Act established by Congress requires facilities whose emissions meet or exceed an established threshold to receive permits from the government before they initiate construction. The dismantling and removal of commodities projected for reuse from the former Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication facility process began in January. Now that the permit has been issued, the main process building site preparation and construction activities, including installation of permanent utilities and removal of walls, are officially authorized by South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to begin. Plant Vogtle Unit 4 update:Georgia Power to start loading fuel into Plant Vogtle Unit 4, test the reactor. This reporting content is supported by a partnership with several funders and Journalism Funding Funding Partners. Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or on Twitter: @EricaVanBuren32. |
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