Page 247 - Beyond Decommissioning

228 Beyond Decommissioning

the Georgia Tech Administration had the fuel removed and shipped to the
Savannah River Site in February 1996. In May 1997, the NRC renewed the GTRR
operating license. However, shortly thereafter, the Georgia Tech Administration
decided not to receive the low-enriched fuel, but to decommission the reactor
instead. The administration mentioned several arguments for this decision: (1)
approximately $2 million in renovations would be required to bring the reactor
up to modern standards; (2) underutilization of the reactor; (3) major public and
political attention, and the risk of terroristic attacks, and (4) the cost of continued
operation. The reactor decommissioning took 6 years since the decision for
decommissioning was taken (almost 8 years after final shutdown). The reactor
vessel, concrete biological shield, and lead tank were removed. The NRC terminated
the reactor license in Dec. 2003.
However, the Spent Fuel and Source Storage Pool, pneumatic lines, the hot cell
used for dismantling and packaging fuel elements, and the reactor’s companion facil-
ity, where source encapsulation and other broad-scope research activities were con-
ducted, still remained intact.
In 2012, the building that housed the reactor (called Neely Building) and the
remaining systems were characterized, internally decontaminated and finally
demolished. By April 2013 the reactor building had been dismantled to provide space
for a new research center (Georgia Tech, 2012).

6.5.3 Georgia Nuclear Aircraft Laboratory (GNAL) (McClure, n.d.)
GNAL was operated on Dawson Forest near Atlanta, GA by Lockheed Aircraft Cor-
poration from the late 1950s until 1971. The initial research objective was to design a
nuclear powered aircraft for the US Air Force. Although this project was not success-
ful, other radiation-related research was performed at GNAL. A 10-MW research
reactor was used in the material radiation research from 1958 through 1970. The site
was decommissioned and closed down in 1971. Lockheed then sold its property to the
City of Atlanta in 1972. The City was anticipating the need for a second airport for the
metropolitan Atlanta area and purchased this tract.
The land areas formerly used by GNAL have continuously been monitored and
studied for detrimental environmental and health effects since 1971. The 1978 Report
found residual radiation in two areas and recommended fencing of the areas to prevent
public access. The areas were then fenced. Although follow-on studies performed in
1991 and 1997 showed radiation levels to be at or only slightly above “background” in
and around the fenced areas, it was decided to maintain the public access restriction.
Currently there are two restricted areas comprising approximately 1.2 ha out of the
4100 ha site. The Georgia Forestry Commission and the Georgia Environmental Pro-
tection Division (EPD) monitor these areas. The EPD posts instruments and checks
them quarterly to detect any radiation anomalies. Both the 1991 and the 1998 Reports
indicate that the areas used by GNAL on Dawson Forest do not present a health prob-
lem for the public.
Currently the site is used for horseback riding and hiking trails. The forest is so
thick that it is easy to miss the relics of the old GNAL. A walk around the parking