BENTON COUNTY, Wash. – After nearly four years, the Department of Ecology has agreed to begin chemical waste cleanup at the former nuclear production area known as the
Set to begin in 2025, the new agreement states that the waste will be completely removed from Washington by 2040.
The waste at the Hanford Site is among the nation’s most dangerous and poses a risk to the Columbia River.
According to the Spokesman Review, Hanford is also the most expensive project being dealt with by the Department of Ecology.
“One of the biggest changes in the agreement is we as agencies have decided that we’re going to grout some of the less radioactive waste so we can get that out of the tanks, get it out of the state and disposed of in commercial landfills and I think that’s gonna be big news to the people of Washington,” said Geoffrey Tyree of the U.S. Department of Energy.
A 60 day period designated for public commentary will begin at the end of May with public meetings in Oregon and Washington.
