LVI Services Chosen as D&D Contractor for Nuclear Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana Project

Urbana, IL - LVI Services (LVI), the nation’s leading facility management services company focusing on deconstruction and environmental remediation services, has been chosen as the Decontamination & Decommissioning (D&D) contractor for the Nuclear Research Laboratory (NRL) project at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign campus. Previously the New York City-based company had been awarded similar projects for nuclear reactor removal at the University of Arizona and the University of Washington. Since it was founded in 1986, LVI has established a distinguished reputation for environmental restoration and structural deconstruction site work with a superb record of safety on commercial and government contracts. 

Built in 1959 for a variety of research and training purposes, the facility did not produce electricity, but assisted in the advancement of numerous university sectors, including physics, biophysics, engineering, earth science and environmental monitoring, as well as medical technologies. The NRL’s 1.5 MW TRIGA reactor operated until 1998 when its Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license expired. In that time the building underwent a number of upgrades in order to take advantage of evolving design characterizations for TRIGA reactors, eventually logging 11,566.7 megawatt hours (MWhrs) of operation. The spent fuel was removed from the property in 2004. 

This is the second of two phases in the D&D process for the Urbana site. The first phase involved site characterization and development of the decommission plan, approved by the NRC, which will now be implemented.  LVI will be responsible for the removal of all hazardous and radiologically contaminated materials, equipment, components and soil associated with the NRL structure. 

“LVI has considerable experience with NRC and Department of Energy clients, including successful and safe outcomes on similar projects at the University of Arizona and the University of Washington,” said Scott State, LVI Chief Executive Officer.  “Our milestones in Illinois will be pursued with safety as our first priority, supported by the most experienced professionals in the sector.”

The NRL project is slated to be completed in the summer of 2012. At that time the 5,000 sq. ft., property will be released for unrestricted use by the University. Moving forward, the school plans to utilize a virtual nuclear reactor laboratory and share research reactors at affiliated universities and national laboratories.

About LVI Services
LVI Services Inc. is the United States’ leading provider of a wide array of integrated facility services, including environmental remediation, demolition, fireproofing and related services for commercial, industrial, multi-family residential and governmental facilities. LVI focuses on projects involving asbestos, lead paint, mold, infection control, hazardous materials, fireproofing, emergency services, disaster response services and demolition. Founded in 1986, LVI has more than 25 offices across the United States, is licensed in every state, and is experienced in responding quickly to natural and man-made disasters. The company’s annual revenues exceed $300 million. For more information, visit www.lviservices.com.