Nuclear Energy Research
Reactors
A broad range of energy-related research, testing and development projects have been conducted at Area IV (ETEC). From the 1950s until the late 1980s these activities conducted for the DOE by Atomics International (AI) included nuclear energy development. Phasing out nuclear operations began during the mid-1960s. By 1980 all nuclear reactor operations in Area IV had ceased. To learn more about these reactors, please click on the timeline on the left of this page.
Nuclear Support Operations
Starting in 1956 several operations were conducted in Area IV to support nuclear programs. These included the manufacture, disassembly and management of fuel for reactor operations, and the operation of nuclear waste management facilities for off-site disposal. All operations – with the exception of the Radioactive Materials Handling Facility (RMHF), Fuel Storage Facility, and the Radiation Instrument Calibration Laboratory – were terminated by 1988. To learn more about the nuclear support operations, please click on the timeline on the left of this page.
Radiological Facility Decommissioning
When a facility is contaminated with radioactivity as a result of prior radiological operations and/or research, it is decontaminated, decommissioned and surveyed in order to restore it to a safe, clean status where it can be used for other purposes without exposing future users to hazards or risks from radiation or radioactivity. A variety of reports are prepared to document this process and are provided on the Radiological Facility Decommissioning page.
