Veolia Nuclear Solutions: Veolia is invested in Hanford and the future of the region

Veolia Nuclear Solutions – Federal Services (VNSFS) is the U.S. nuclear operations company of Veolia, delivering Veolia’s global capabilities to the U.S. government and across North America.

VNSFS has a long and successful history at the Hanford Site, where it currently operates two critical elements of the cleanup – the 222-S Laboratory under a direct contract to the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility (ERDF), under a subcontract to CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Company (CHPRC). Our Engineering Services group is also based in Richland.

222-S Lab works to further Hanford mission

The 70,000-square foot 222-S Laboratory handles highly radioactive samples for purposes of organic, inorganic and radiochemistry analyses. It contains 11 hot cells, which gives the lab the capability to remotely handle these tank waste samples while minimizing radiation dose to workers. The 222-S complex contains more than 100 pieces of analytical equipment, 156 fume hoods and 46 manipulators to perform work.

In 2019, our lab staff performed 32,000 analyses on up to 10,000 tank waste samples, up from about 25,000 the year before. Working with these highly radioactive samples is something VNSFS does with safety always as its top priority, a fact that is evident in the lab’s stellar safety record. In 2017, DOE designated the lab as a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Legacy of Stars Site – an award that distinguishes a company that has excelled in outreach and mentoring and has demonstrated sustained excellence in worker safety and health. In 2018, the lab attained an independent and successful VPP Star of Excellence.

In addition to tank waste sampling for the DOE Office of River Protection, the 222-S Lab also supports other Hanford contractors and projects such as the Spent Fuel Nuclear Project and the Central Plateau Closure Project.

VNSFS personnel are offering their expertise to further the Hanford mission by working with the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant and the Direct Feed Low-Activity Waste initiative to facilitate successful integration of analytical operations. Together with other Hanford contractors on the Vit Plant project, VNSFS 222-S Lab employees are working to protect the environment and millions of people who live in the Pacific Northwest.

ERDF is a key player in Hanford cleanup

Not far from the lab, VNSFS is responsible for the full spectrum of landfill management and operations at ERDF, commonly referred to as the hub of the Hanford Site cleanup.

The 107-acre facility is DOE’s largest landfill, authorized to accept, stage, treat and dispose of low-level radioactive, hazardous and mixed wastes generated by Hanford environmental restoration activities.

VNSFS has managed the Hanford landfill since 2013 and works closely with all Hanford waste generators to ensure waste acceptance criteria and regulatory compliance are met during all phases of waste generation, containerization, transport and disposal activities. VNSFS’ efforts over the past few years to safety package and dispose of large, contaminated items (instead of shipping them off site) has resulted in significant savings for DOE.

In early 2020, ERDF and sitewide cleanup contractor CH2MHill Plateau Remediation Company are helping DOE achieve an important milestone at Hanford – completing cleanup of the Plutonium Finishing Plant, where two-thirds of the U.S. Cold War-era plutonium was produced. More than 900 containers of finishing plant waste were disposed of at ERDF from December 2018 through February 2020.

“This is a great example of teamwork in a high-hazard environment, with the customer, prime contractor and subcontractor all being on the same page to achieve this milestone. I’m very proud of our team,” said Billy Morrison, VNSFS CEO and president.

Engineering Services: from inception through completion

Twenty years of DOE engineering experience means that VNSFS can deliver nuclear, environmental, infrastructure, waste, robotics, process and international engineering services. We are NQA-1 Certified with all relevant disciplines and have reach back to more than 1,000 engineers.

We provide engineered robotic and remote-handling solutions for high-hazard environments, thus reducing or eliminating human exposure. We have more than three decades of know-how, delivering more than 200 systems worldwide.

Our engineering capabilities cover the full spectrum of project needs from inception through completion. These include strategic planning, code evaluation, feasibility study, specification development, field engineering, condition assessments, life extension analysis and system troubleshooting.

Our staff of professional engineers have advanced degrees in all primary disciplines, including chemical/process, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and controls, civil/structural, nuclear, materials and environmental.

With its many services and capabilities, VNSFS is proud to be a part of One Hanford – a team of highly skilled and dedicated workers. As one, we are committed to safe and ethical work practices throughout our project sites.

This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Veolia Nuclear Solutions: Veolia is invested in Hanford and the future of the region."