Nuclear materials: Alternatives for relocating Rocky Flats Plant's plutonium operations

Major operational problems in a plutonium-processing building at the Department of Energy's Rocky Flats Plant near Denver, Colorado, have existed since the building became operational in 1981. High estimated costs have been associated with repairing the building and potential risks have been associated with the plant's proximity to a major metropolitan center. Four alternatives have been identified for relocating plutonium processing that would cost between about $200 million and $600 million. These alternatives would require between 4 and 10 years to implement, including design, construction and/or alterations and startup. This is in comparison to an estimated cost of about $300 million to repair building 371 at the Rocky Flats Plant and an implementation period of 8 years. The alternative that addresses fabrication operations, the major contributor to safety and health risks at Rocky Flats is to relocate all Rocky Flats plutonium operations. This would cost over $4 billion and take as long as 24 years. On a cost basis alone, this alternative does not appear justified