Key Opportunities for Integrating P2 in Cleanup Activities Identified During DOE's P2 Conference

P2 in Clean up, Stabilization and Decommissioning

The P2 in Clean-up, Stabilization and Decommissioning (P2 in CSD) Focus Track was well attended by a variety of site personnel, including project managers, P2 coordinators and advocates, and ER project team members. Approximately 30 people attended each of the daily sessions and nearly 50 people attended the Monday afternoon workshop on materials dispositioning. The session formats were interactive and fostered significant dialogue between conference participants and attendees.

The overarching goal of the P2 in CSD Focus Track was to enhance incorporation of P2 and waste minimization into CSD activities. This was accomplished by discussing key opportunities, tools and barriers which help or hinder the integration of P2 and waste minimization into CSD activities. The focus track technical agenda included: alternatives and approaches to material disposition, P2 assessment methodologies for CSD projects, inclusion of P2 in design and operation of on-site disposal cells, and innovative technologies. The presentations and discussions were experienced based. The following is a synopsis of the most relevant items discussed during the four days of the conference.

Opportunities and Tools for Integrating P2 into Cleanup and Stabilization which are likely to provide results in a short time frame:

1. Deployment of proven technologies and techniques which provide timely waste reduction and cost savings across the complex. This can be accomplished by utilizing the following:
   • P2 expert teams deployed at cleanup sites to perform site P2 assessments;
   • Sustainability Support homepage to access current technologies and successful practices such as the EM lessons learned database;
   • OST web site for quarterly status reporting of innovative technologies;
   • Develop a P2 list server that gives an e-mail forum for P2 advocates to solicit help with specific questions or to post successes; and
   • Face to face interactions among program and project managers.
2. Continue effective P2/WMin training and early integration of P2/WMin into project planning in order to gain acceptance of P2 initiatives. This can be accomplished by utilizing the following:
   • The existing Sustainability Support training course sponsored by NETO;
   • The Data Quality Objective approach; and
   • The value engineering process.
3. Include performance based incentives (PBIs) into all appropriate contracts to encourage P2/WMin. This can be accomplished by the following:
   • Develop performance measures which correlate to the final end goal (e.g. site cleanup) by measuring attributes such as acres remediated vs. waste generated;
   • Develop generic contract language for the Sustainability Support Web site which can be easily incorporated into contracts, be sure the projects feel the burden of not incorporating P2/WMin and receive the benefits of incorporating waste reductions and cost savings;
   • Package P2 initiatives as cost and/or schedule savings, not as additional burdens to the project.
4. Increase the recycle/reuse of materials generated from cleanup activities. This can be accomplished by the following:
   • Continue and increase the use of the Center of Excellence for Materials Recycle as a resource and mentor;
   • List successful practices and projects on the EPIC List Serve and DOE EM-40 Lessons Learned Homepage;
   • Develop a link or relationship with other government and private agencies which deal with similar materials and equipment for the purpose of evaluating material value and use; and
   • Maximize worker involvement in the field to encourage ideas and improvements for better waste management.
5. Appropriately represent waste disposal costs so that P2/WMin alternatives are equitably evaluated.
6. Utilize multi-site teams (advocated by DOE HQ, particularly the Office of Integration) to address issues affecting P2/WMin in an integrated fashion to:
   • Develop regulatory requirements for radioactive solid waste,
   • Integrate currently available and usable technology into applicable CSD activities.
7. Incorporate P2/WMin into Records of Decisions and Post-ROD Implementing Documents.
   • Leverage cost- effective P2 opportunities into planned actions while balancing same with proposed project schedules.

Barriers to the Successful Integration of P2/WMin into all Cleanup and Stabilization Activities

• The perception that P2/WMin negatively impacts project cost and/or schedule. This perception encourages project managers to make decisions which may not fully consider P2/WMin (and the benefits thereof).
• No unified regulatory requirements for radioactive solid waste (regulatory guidance exists for radioactive air and water but not solid waste). The lack of guidance in this area provides a barrier to the release and recycle/reuse of waste materials.
• The unavailability and inadequate use of timely, cost effective, and real-time characterization methods. Cost-effective, real-time characterization of waste streams and facilities/sites would facilitate segregation and reuse.
• Public perception (stakeholders receptivity) of the perceived danger of materials released from DOE facilities.
• Ineffective communication between DOE sites and other DOE organizations (such as HQ, Centers of Excellence, Technology Development and Deployment, Laboratories, etc.). The lack of communication between these groups allows ineffective practices to continue. A means of sharing successful technologies and practices is needed on a real-time basis to allow these ideas to be deployed at every site with identical needs.

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HSS User Support
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