THE HIGH FLUX BEAM REACTOR (HFBR) AT BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY

Why you should oppose its restart.


October 01, 2025

The High Flux Beam Reactor (HFBR) has been closed since December of 1996. In January of 1997, officials disclosed that a radioactive plume was traveling through the groundwater towards the southern boundary of the lab. It was later disclosed that the reactor fuel pool had been leaking 6 to 8 gallons a day for at least twelve years.

BNL plans to restart this 33 year old reactor and to double its power; here are some of the many reasons why restart of the HFBR is a bad idea:


The HFBR sits on top of Long Island's ONLY source of drinking water.

Department of Energy officials have acknowledged that if they knew in 1950 what they now know, they would not have situated nuclear reactors on top of a federally designated "sole source aquifer."

BNL has an evacuation plan for employees but not for it's neighbors.

The HFBR is in the middle of the environmentally sensitive "Pine Barrens."

There is no such thing as a "safely operating" nuclear reactor.

There is great scientific debate about the harmfulness of routine emissions from nuclear reactors. The only certainty is that effects of long term exposure to manmade radiation are unknown.

There are 3,000 cubic feet of radioactive waste generated at the HFBR each year. This waste is then trucked along local roadways and shipped across Long Island Sound and poses a threat to every neighborhood through which it passes.

When it reaches its destination, this waste joins the stockpile of waste that we are inflicting on future generations.

BNL has not yet cleaned up a reactor which was closed in 1968. It is unacceptable to restart the HFBR as long as contamination from other reactors saturates the BNL site.

In fact, the Graphite Reactor was closed over 30 years ago and has yet to be decontaminated and decommissioned.

Officials cannot or will not explain why it was really closed, how much radioactive contamination was released to the air and water during its operations.

A little more detail:

Groundwater Contamination from the High Flux Beam Reactor: The reactor was allowed to leak 6-8 gallons a day for at least twelve years. Officials have stated that they "cannot guarantee" that continued operation of the HFBR will not result in more groundwater contamination. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy acknowledges that the aquifer is extremely susceptible to contamination, and they cannot guarantee leak free operation. So, Why Restart?

Health concerns: A 320 foot stack spews radioactive tritium into the air from the HFBR. Tritium is a known carcinogen and accumulates in blood, the heart, the kidney and muscles. As tritium makes its way up the food chain it may become more concentrated. Long Island has elevated rates of certain types of cancers whose causes are believed to be unexplained. There is no doubt that exposure to radiation causes adverse health effects; the question is, at what levels? Since they were established 70 years ago, radiation protection standards have been lowered over half a dozen times, and recent studies indicate that current "safe levels" may again need to be lowered. So, Why Restart?

Management concerns: After the reactor leak was discovered, investigations revealed a horrific environmental record and widespread managerial incompetence at BNL. The United States General Accounting Office reported to Congress that "Brookhaven employees did not aggressively monitor its reactor's spent fuel pool for leaks...and even after the laboratory and DOE agreed with Suffolk County regulatory officials to install monitoring wells near the reactor in 1994, Brookhaven officials postponed their installation." So, Why Restart?

Elected officials: United States Senator Alfonse D'Amato and U.S. Congressman Michael Forbes are both opposed to the restart of the reactor and have introduced legislation calling for its permanent closure. New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele has also called for the permanent closure of the HFBR, and New York Attorney General Vacco has stated that he will take whatever steps necessary to prevent the restart of the reactor. So, Why Restart?

Accidents at the reactor: In 1994, a fire occurred at the reactor that involved highly radioactive uranium. Concerns were raised that the fire resulted from "inadequate safety reviews" that indicated a lack of managerial control.

Meltdown consequences: The HFBR emergency plan, prepared by BNL, acknowledges that the "hazard of greatest concern associated with the operation of the HFBR is a release of radioactive material which could affect adjacent downwind areas, both on-and off-site." However, there is no off-site emergency plan for the PUBLIC! BNL acknowledges that a meltdown could occur as a result of earthquakes, wind generated flying objects, floods and airplane crashes.....All very possible scenarios on Long Island. So, Why Restart?

The Brookhaven Graphite Research Reactor (BGRR) Restart of another reactor at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is irresponsible until the old reactor is cleaned up. Actual steps must be taken to cleanup up the radioactive mess left by the reactor in our groundwater and the Peconic River. BNL does not have a history of operating nuclear reactors in an honest and responsible manner. This history does not inspire confidence in BNL's ability to safely and responsibly operate a nuclear reactor based upon the clear trend of environmental indifference and mismanagement.
Recently, it was discovered that this old reactor was leaking radiation into the groundwater at levels 8 times higher than permissible. Now, thirty years after it was closed the true levels of radioactivity released to the environment are unknown. During its operation this reactor suffered "frequent fuel failures" which resulted in exhaust filters later found to have "significant" radioactive contamination. The emissions monitoring data from the reactor will help independent health experts determine the potential health implications. However, after 30 years BNL has never released this material. First, BNL claimed the emissions data was missing...now, they admit that the data exists but now plan to summarize the data...ASK YOURSELF...COULD THEY BE HIDING SOMETHING?

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