Introduction
Located in the Simi Hills in between Simi Valley and the San Fernando Valley in Southern California,the Santa Susana Field Laboratory(SSFL) is an industrial research and development facility currently focusing on rocket engine development. Currently a Superfund site, the SSFL has been under major investigation concerning their toxic waste management and disposal procedures over the years. The focus of this article is an overview of this facility and its history, a look into the environmental concerns, controversies and incidents that have occurred here and the current cleanup plans and projects for the site.
Brief History
Operating since 1947 the SSFL has worked to greatly advance the nuclear energy and rocket technology industries. Originally operated by Rocketdyne, the site is now owned by Boeing. The site had originally been chosen for it's remoteness due to the nature of the facility, but the population grew immensely in the subsequent years in the surrounding area. Rocket testing operations ceased in 2006. Nuclear research operations ceased earlier in 1988. Although still relatively unknown, the lab was also the site of several accidents both accidental and from negligence leading to local environmental harm and a few deaths.
Rocket Engine Research and Development
The SSFL has helped to create many different rocket engines used in different types of cruise missiles to Apollo rocket components, all the way to the space shuttle's main engine.[1] NASA currently owns part of the site and conducted joint operations with Rocketdyne and eventually Boeing.
Nuclear Energy Research and Development
The site also began hosting a nuclear energy research and testing facility in 1953 commissioned by the Atomics International division of North American Aviation (NAA).[2] This part of the site, also called Area IV, had what is considered the countries first commercial nuclear power plant as its output was used to power the nearby city of Moorpark starting in 1957.[3]
Accidents and Contamination
The SSFL was originally built and began operations before many of the environmental regulations we have for such facilities were put in place.
Sodium Reactor Experiment
The Sodium Reactor Experiment(SRE) was one of the first reactors to provide power to ordinary consumers. The idea started under President Eisenhower and the 'Atoms for Peace' program. The designing of the reactor began in 1954 and construction was finished in 1957. Soon after the reactor began to power the nearby city of Moorpark, CA and was considered a major achievement garnering a front page article in the Los Angeles Times.
Water Contamination
Burn Pits
Site Cleanup
Violations
Current Activities
References
- Boeing's main website about the SSFL. http://www.boeing.com/aboutus/environment/santa_susana/index.html
- The Dept. of Energy's description of the nuclear research facility at SSFL and it's closure. http://www.etec.energy.gov/Operations/Operations_History.html
- California Energy Commission's list of California nuclear power plants.http://www.energy.ca.gov/nuclear/california.html