PNNL

Abstract

Nearly 20 years ago, the U.S. government embarked on an unprecedented task in size and complexity: cleaning up the legacy left by the country’s nuclear production mission. The challenges of this legacy involve site closure, waste processing and disposal, and soil and groundwater remediation, necessary to protect the public and the environment. In meeting these challenges, the national laboratories have played a pivotal role in both understanding the nature and extent of the problems and developing and testing technological solutions. Similar problems to the ones faced in the United States are now being addressed in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The scientific and technical underpinnings developed in the U.S. labs may help other countries reduce risks and costs. While much has been accomplished in the United States, challenges remain. These challenges may be best solved in a collaborative environment, bringing together expertise across international borders.