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Transuranic waste consists of clothing, tools, rags, debris, residues and other disposable items contaminated with radioactive elements heavier than uranium.
The new schedule calls for wastes to be removed from the Illinois site by 2003. Previously, the shipments were not expected to begin before 2003.
Under the accelerated schedule, shipments to DOE's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad, New Mexico, are expected to begin in Spring 2001 and be completed by the end of the calendar year. Sampling and identification of waste stored at Argonne will begin this October.
Some 450 to 500 drums of waste, about 40 truck shipments' worth, will be loaded into specially designed transport canisters certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
"We plan to work closely with the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety over the next year and a half to ensure these shipments are safe and to determine the best transportation route through Illinois to New Mexico," said Robert L. San Martin, manager of the DOE Chicago Operations Office.
Cumulus cloud cover contributed to one of the longest Chicago Junior Solar Sprints in the event's 10-year history. But shortly after noon Saturday, May 6, the sun shone long enough for "Mellow Yellow" from Jerling Junior High in Orland Park to emerge as winner in the double-heat elimination race.
Groups of seventh- and eighth-graders kneeled anxiously on the track as the rays of the sun peeked in and out from the clouds, delaying their races.
When the sun appeared, the students slid sun shields off their cars, sending them sprinting down the 65-foot-long asphalt straightaway to the foam-cushioned finish line.
Some cars sped and others lumbered along the fishing lines used to guide them. All cars used identical solar-electric panels and electrical motors. Students purchased $23.95 kits containing a motor, gears and a solar cell that provides between two and two and one-half volts. Cars are restricted to about shoebox size and must be powered entirely by the sun.
In addition to performance, cars are also judged on technology, craftsmanship, appearance and a working knowledge of the car's design.
"It Could Win," the entry from Saint Cajetan School, Chicago, took the first-place design award. "The car had a clever constantly variable automatic transmission," said Mary Jacqué, design judge and Case New Holland mechanical engineer. "Everyone else had gears and belt drives."
The competition drew 31 teams from 14 schools as far away as Chicago, Palatine and Rolling Meadows for this year's sprint at the Case New Holland Corp. Technology Center in Burr Ridge.
"The students' smiles and excitement on competition day keep me coming back year after year," said Christine McGhee (ES) of the laboratory's Center for Transportation Research. "Each year there are all-girl teams, and they usually win several trophies." McGhee is the Chicago Junior Solar Sprint coordinator.
The competition is designed to encourage students to consider technical careers and improve their knowledge of energy issues.
The sprint is sponsored by Argonne, the U.S. Department of Energy, Case New Holland Corp., Siemens Solar Industries and the Chicago Section of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
-- Evelyn Brown
A disaster relief fund has been established to help employees of Los Alamos National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy's Los Alamos Area Office. A forest fire has devastated the area, burning more than 200 homes and tens of thousands of acres. The lab was closed for several days.
DOE's Fire Recovery Fund will begin accepting donations Monday, May 22. Donations will be used to assist employees and communities with unforeseen and uncovered expenses in the coming months, said Energy Secretary Bill Richardson. The fund is authorized to accept gifts from all public and private sources. Donations are tax deductible.
Financial donations can be sent to the U.S. Department of Energy, Attention: Northern New Mexico Fire Recovery Fund, P.O. Box 500, Germantown, MD, 20874-0500.
Checks should be made payable to DOE and indicate they are for the Fire Recovery Fund.
Argonne employees will present drama, music and comedy at a variety show Thursday, June 22, starting at 7 p.m. in the Advanced Photon Source Conference Center Auditorium.
Tickets are $3 and will be sold at the door.
The show is sponsored by the Argonne Club and Sodexho Marriott.
The Argonne Guest House will offer a special dinner the evening of the show, with a choice of prime rib, chicken Marsala or grilled swordfish, for $22.
Argonne-West employees can help those in need by participating in a blood drive Wednesday, May 24.
The Red Cross will collect blood in the new fire station from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call Dolores Lagerquist, Gaye Grant or Stephanie Vogler (all RPS) at ext. 3-7341.
The Red Cross suggests participants drink plenty of fluids in the morning before donating blood.
To mark National Buckle-Up Week, May 22-26, the Argonne-East Traffic Safety Committee will sponsor informational displays in the Building 213 Cafeteria at lunchtime.
Groups represented will include:
* Tuesday, May 23 -- Operation Lifesaver (railroad crossing safety) and DuPage County Safe Kids.
* Wednesday, May 24 -- National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and DuPage County Safe Kids.
* Thursday, May 25 -- Illinois Secretary of State's Office and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
* Friday, May 26 -- Illinois Department of Transportation.
Speakers needed to inform community groups
Staff employees are needed to join the laboratory's Speakers Bureau and inform area organizations about Argonne and its research before area organizations.
The laboratory's Speakers Bureau is a vital means of maintaining Argonne's excellent community support.
Employees who received a questionnaire are urged to fill out and return it.
For more information, or to request another form, call Cindy Wilkinson (OPA) at ext. 2-5561.
John Callahan, a retired painter with 27 years of service in the Plant Facilities and Services Division, died April 7. His wife, Wanda Sue, survives him.
Celestia Crawford, a retired scientific technician junior with 21 years of service in the Biological and Medical Research Division, died April 18. Her niece, Ruth McKinney, survives her.
Bernard Greenberg, a retired associate designer with 37 years of service in Engineering, died April 4. His wife, Florence, survives him.
Rodney Hesterman, a retired fire fighter with 32 years of service in the Occupation, Health and Safety Division, died May 1. His wife, Mildred, survives him.
Robert Holtz, a retired senior mechancial engineer with 36 years of service in the Reactor Engineering Division, died May 3. His wife survives him.
Gail Knasko, a retired medical technologist senior with nine years of service in the Biological and Medical Research Division, died Feb. 7. Her daughter, Jennifer Knasko-Gigile, survives her.
Tuncer Kuzay, a senior mechanical engineer with 24 years of service in the Experimental Facilities Division, died April 17. His wife, Alice, survives him.
Robert Lari, a retired animal caretaker with 14 years of service in the Biological and Medical Research Division, died May 3. Stepdaughter Darlene Slavek-Laeb survives him.
Alexandra Stoddard, a retired secretary senior with 17 years of service in the Graphic Arts Division, died April 15. Her daughter, Alexandra Lohman, survives her.
Service Awards for May include:
Donald Nellesen (RPS).
Joyce A. Brenkacz (ECT), Catherine Flores (HR), George A. Grey (OCF), Bonnie K. Marchiniak (HR), William A. Ragland (LEG), Susan L. Santarelli (PFS), Kenneth W. Shepard (PHY).
Pamela J. Crane (ED), Kim D. Crofts (OD), Donald A. Hanson (DIS), Lee A. Northcutt (EA), Keith E. Powers (OD), Shen-Ling Tsai (OCF).
Dennis J. Brough (OD), Patrick W. Kern (OD), Patricia K. Shoulders (ER).
Steve W. Bengtson (PFS), Steve P. Braase (RPS), Dennis Bugielski (OCF), Glenn L. Cherry (TD), James C. Cunnane (CMT), Glenn Decker (AOD), Anne M. Frankowski (OCF), Steven Hanuska (ASD), Glenn A. Harris (PFS), John E. Hyzer (HR), David V. Inskeep (ED), Linda L. Janca (ESH), Nancy F. Kieronski (OCF), Robert J. Krzebiot (ECT), Kevin K. Kufeldt (PFS), Barry Lai (XFD), Darlyn D. Mishur (OCF), Susan D. Mousseau (ED), James W. Neitzel (ED), Frank Nelson (IPNS), William K. Nickless (MCS), Elizabeth A. O'Connor (OCF), David L. Rapp (OD), Christine Schuur (HEP), Albert R. Simmons (PFS), Frank E. Skrzecz (HEP), Karen P. Smith (EA), Kurt D. Taylor (OD), Timothy J.P. Tess (ESH), Melanie M. Tompkins (DIS), Leslie A. Weltmeyer (OPS), Konstance L. Wescott (EA), James L. Willit (CMT).
Chuck A. Abbott (RPS), E. JoAnne Barney (RPS), Steven M. Bormet (DIS), David J. Gosztola (CHM), Carol A. Grebic (DIS), Sharon L. Juricic (OCF), Felicia M. King (BTC), Loren A. Knoblich (ET), Marcia A. Konopa (ASD).
