PRESS RELEASES

DOE Announces Brookhaven Manager
To Lead Review of Fast Flux Test Facility
Outlines Scope of Activity

May 15, 2001

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WASHINGTON, DC - The Department of Energy announced today that Michael Holland, manager of its Brookhaven Area Office, will lead the review of the decision to permanently deactivate the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) to ensure that all relevant factors affecting the decision to close the FFTF are addressed.

Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham decided to suspend for 90 days a previous administration decision to shut the FFTF down in order for qualified personnel led by Holland to review all available information that might have an impact on the future of the FFTF. The scope of the review will encompass the following:

  • A review of all existing studies, reports, assessments and environmental reviews related to the FFTF’s original mission of medical isotope production, Pu-238 production for space missions and nuclear energy study;
  • A well-defined forum for the submission of public and private sector interest in the continued operation of the FFTF for original and potential missions; and
  • Additional opportunities for stakeholder input through open public meetings.

The results of the review will be documented in a report and submitted back to Secretary Abraham’s office upon completion of the review.

Holland has 25 years experience in the conduct of operations of nuclear reactors and large facilities. He has been with the Department of Energy for ten years overseeing the operation of research reactors, facility decommissioning, and environmental restoration. In addition, Holland has led teams in the completion of complex projects such as the shipment of spent nuclear fuel, community outreach programs, and large facility commissioning and decommissioning.

The FFTF is a 400-megawatt sodium-cooled nuclear reactor located in Washington state as a part of the Department of Energy’s Hanford Site that operated from 1982 until 1992 to test advanced fuels and materials in support of the national Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor Program. The plant also produced a variety of medical and industrial isotopes, including tritium, and provided research and testing of components and systems for advanced power systems.

- DOE -

R-01-074

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