Hanford Nuclear Cleanup
The Challenge
Located in Southeast Washington, the 
Hanford
Nuclear Reservation is a 560-acre nuclear facility.
During World War II, Hanford was used to produce plutonium for some
of America's first nuclear bombs. Residents of the surrounding Tri-Cities
area (Richland, Pasco and Kennewick) sacrificed to help America win
the war and the following Cold War.
In the 1980's, the site was used to produce nuclear weapons materials.
This involved:
- operating 9 nuclear reactors
- processing nuclear material
- and storing the resulting nuclear waste
Unfortunately, a large amount of highly radioactive nuclear waste was
created, and it poses serious health, safety, and environmental hazards.
We Need to Clean It Up
- There are 177 underground tanks that hold more than 50 million gallons
of nuclear waste material. These old tanks are past their safe lifespan.
- There are also two large underground water basins which hold all
the spent nuclear fuel rods from the operation of the reactors.
- It's unhealthy for residents and unsafe for the environment.
- The underground waste holding tanks have leaked in the past.
- Waste that has leaked into the underground water table is moving
toward the Columbia River.
Clean-up Process
- The waste will be removed from the tanks and turned into glass,
which is more stable for long term storage.
- A plant to convert the waste into glass is under construction and
should be processing waste by 2007.
Living Up to An Agreement
In May 1989, three parties -- Washington State, the Environmental Protection
Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy -- signed a comprehensive cleanup
and compliance agreement, known as the Tri-Party
Agreement.
This agreement set a timetable for the cleanup and set certain milestones
and deadlines. To meet these cleanup deadlines, the federal government
must provide the necessary funding.
Full story 
News Releases
9/29/2006
Murray's $2 Million for PNNL Headed to the President for his Signature
6/27/2006
Hanford: Senators Murray and Cantwell Secure Full Funding for Vit Plant in FY 2007 Subcommittee Budget
6/13/2006
Senator Murray, Troubled by Hanford Security Breach, Calls for Better Safeguards and an Immediate, Accurate Response
2/7/2006
Murray, Cantwell Call for True Commitment to Hanford Cleanup
2/6/2006
Bush Budget has Wrong Priorities for Washington State, America
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