Hurricane Irma did not significantly impact remediation efforts at the Pinellas County, Florida, Site in Largo. 

The former Pinellas Plant, now known as the Young - Rainey STAR Center, developed and manufactured components for the nation’s nuclear weapons program for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its predecessor agencies from 1957 until it ceased operations in 1994. The facility was transferred to the Pinellas County government in 1999. As a result of historical waste disposal practices during DOE operations, groundwater was contaminated with hazardous chemicals.

Since the mid-1980s, DOE has remediated groundwater contamination using soil excavation to remove the sources, groundwater extraction and treatment, thermal treatment, and enhanced bio-remediation. Bio-remediation helps naturally occurring subsurface microorganisms break down organic contaminants into non-toxic compounds.  Currently, DOE is treating contaminated groundwater plumes in two areas using this type of in-situ treatment.

The Florida Governor directed the closure of all public schools, state colleges, state universities, and state offices from Friday, September 8, through Monday, September 11. As a precaution, Pinellas County closed all county offices Friday, including the STAR Center. The LM office in the STAR Center remained closed on Tuesday, September 12, due to loss of electricity. The LM office re-opened on Wednesday, September 13.

For more information on the Pinellas, Florida, site, please visit the DOE Office of Legacy Management website at https://www.lm.doe.gov/pinellas/Sites.aspx.