DOE reports shipment milestone, targets contamination removal by mid‑2027 and closure activities through 2029

DOE project leadership reported major progress at the Grand County Moab Tailings Project Steering Committee meeting Tuesday, saying the program has moved roughly 2,000,000 tons and exceeded an annual shipping target. Chair Mary McGann introduced Matthew as the project’s new director; Matthew told members the project surpassed an internal goal and shipped about 1,000,000 tons in the last year, plus additional trains beyond that.

The project’s near‑term objective is to remove contaminated material that exceeds applicable cleanup standards and ship it to the disposal area at Crescent Junction. Matthew said the program’s plan calls for contaminated material removal to be completed by mid‑2027, enabling construction of the disposal‑cell cover; closure activities and cover construction are expected to continue through 2029. He said the train will remain in use during removal and disposal‑cell construction phases.

Project staff clarified the scope includes the main pile and limited sub‑pile excavation where contamination is present. The team also described a transition of workforce and resources from excavation and hauling toward disposal‑cell construction and post‑closure activities such as grading, revegetation and equipment disposition. No change in the program schedule was announced at the meeting; staff said they are watching federal budgeting timelines (a continuing resolution was noted) but remain on the stated schedule.

At the start of the meeting the committee approved minutes from the July 30, 2024 quarterly steering committee meeting; the motion to approve was made and seconded and the minutes passed without recorded opposition.

The next steering committee meeting dates were proposed and staff asked members to check calendars for January, April, July and October 2025 meeting slots.