HANFORD SITE, Wash. — Washington state and federal agencies announced plans to move forward with cleaning up tank waste at the Hanford Site after considering public feedback.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Washington State Department of Ecology said Thursday they had reviewed public comments and revised their plans for treating and disposing of millions of gallons of radioactive and hazardous waste stored in underground tanks at the Hanford Site in southeast Washington.
The DOE, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Washington State Department of Ecology published a summary of public comments and agency responses Tuesday. They said they are working to finalize updates to the agreement.
In the coming weeks, the agencies said that they will formalize revisions to the Tri-Party Agreement (TPA), which guides cleanup work at the site. A federal court must also approve a joint amendment to the Washington v. Energy consent decree.
In April, the agencies announced an agreement outlining a plan to clean up Hanford’s tank waste. Following the announcement, they solicited and reviewed public input on proposed deadlines for the TPA and the consent decree.
The public involvement effort included a 30-day preview period, a 90-day public comment period, and three hybrid public meetings held in Washington and Oregon. The agencies received 185 comments, all of which were considered before they updated the agreement and issued a comment responsiveness summary.
The agencies also consulted with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Nez Perce Tribe, and the Wanapum Band. Comments received from these Tribal governments will be addressed via formal letters.
In response to feedback, the DOE agreed to conduct a 30-day review and comment period on a draft National Environmental Policy Act Supplement Analysis related to plans for retrieving, grouting, and transporting some of Hanford’s low-activity tank waste for disposal out of state. This comment period is expected to begin in early 2025, according to the agencies.
“We heard the public’s feedback on the proposed changes and the desire for more engagement opportunities. That input is making the agreement a stronger, more durable plan,” said Stephanie Schleif, Ecology Nuclear Waste Program Manager. “Cleaning up Hanford’s tank waste is a critical priority for our state, and it’s essential that this process includes the perspectives of Tribal governments and impacted communities.”
According to the Department of Ecology, the Hanford Site produced plutonium during World War II and the Cold War, leaving about 56 million gallons of radioactive and chemically hazardous waste stored in 177 underground tanks. The DOE is responsible for managing and cleaning up the site.
