Part of INL’s Naval Reactors Facility (NRF), the naval reactor prototypes—the Submarine 1st Generation Westinghouse (S1W) prototype, the Aircraft Carrier 1st Generation Westinghouse (A1W) prototype, and the Submarine 5th Generation General Electric (S5G) prototype—are the focus of a large and complex deactivation and demolition effort led by DOE-EM and ICP contractor Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC).
The D&D of the NRF reactors is the subject of a feature article in the fall 2025 issue of Radwaste Solutions magazine, due out soon.
Environmental wins: As a result of the ICP’s recycling efforts, more than 3,100 cubic yards of material have been diverted from landfill disposal and the project has offset approximately 3,700 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, according to DOE-EM.
When metal or other debris cannot be recycled, crews follow strict environmental regulations and send the material to a disposal facility, ensuring protection of the workforce, public, and underlying Snake River Plain Aquifer.
In addition to its environmental successes, the project has saved over $1.9 million in costs and supported small businesses in the region by recycling D&D debris, DOE-EM said.
Next steps: ICP and IEC are set to complete final D&D of S1W this fall and anticipate completing D&D of A1W and S5G over the next six years, according to DOE-EM.
Each of the three prototype reactors facilitated training for naval personnel and testing that helped develop the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered fleet. DOE-EM, in consultation with the Naval Reactors Program, concluded that the complete demolition of the prototype facilities, including the removal of their respective reactor vessels and other support buildings, provided the best long-term solution to reducing risk at INL.
“I’m proud of our team and their commitment to complete this work safely, responsibly, and efficiently,” said Mike Swartz, IEC senior project director for D&D and capital projects. “Idahoans and the Idaho Cleanup Project will benefit as we maintain this commitment and continue applying the valuable lessons we’ve learned through demolition of the A1W and S5G prototypes.”
