The United Department of Energy has developed alternatives for the disposition of contaminated buildings and of soil and groundwater in the land areas associated with the former SPRU's operations near Schenectady, New York.  SPRU was a part of the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) in Niskayuna, New York.  That complex was a research and development facility that operated for less than three years in the early 1950s.  Its research focused on the continuous chemical process for separating plutonium and uranium from irradiated fuel.  Shortly after SPRU operations ceased, KAPL ended its weapons-related work and became dedicated to support the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered ships.

Site of SPRU operations showing three study areas.

As a subcontractor to Terradigm, Inc. (Albuquerque, New Mexico), Barry Lawson Associates served as moderator for a set of public meetings to review these disposition alternatives and to receive public comment.  These public comments help shape the recommendations made to the Department of Energy regarding choices for the clean-up and disposition of contaminated material. For more information on the public response to the first public meetings focused on contaminated buildings,  you can access the PDF Document prepared by the DOE.