Department of Energy

Inslee: Leaking Tank Waste Removal Can’t Begin For Two To Four Years

Anna King — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 01:52:45 +0000

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says it may take two to four years to begin removing liquids from leaking tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

New Federal Plan Forward On Hanford Tank Farms Coming Soon

Anna King — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 02:18:01 +0000

The federal government plans to release a major document early next week that could guide a couple of decades worth of cleanup at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. This is important because it maps out decisions like where to bury the radioactive waste, and how much to leave in place.

Energy Secretary Might Get Hands-On With Hanford Plant

Anna King — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 23:35:45 +0000

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu fielded questions about safety at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation Friday. He assured hundreds of workers listening in a Richland park that challenges in the massive cleanup of radioactive waste are getting attention at the highest level.

Secretary Chu said he’s really serious about wanting safety at Hanford. He’s particularly focused on the site’s $12 billion waste treatment plant, now under construction. It’s meant to stabilize 56 million gallons of radioactive waste.

Judge Drops Dept. Of Energy From Hanford Whistleblower Case

Anna King — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 00:33:44 +0000

A high level whistleblower at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation is moving ahead with a lawsuit against a federal contractor. But Walt Tamosaitis would have to appeal in order to take the federal government to court. At issue is the safety culture at Hanford.

Walt Tamosaitis sued the U.S. Department of Energy and contractor URS after he was removed from his job. He claims it was retaliation for raising safety concerns about the $12 billion waste treatment plant going up in southeast Washington.

Federal Oversight Team Visits Hanford This Week

Anna King — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:35:43 +0000

An independent oversight team from the Department of Energy is visiting the Hanford Nuclear Reservation this week. Richland Correspondent Anna King explains why.

The agency is called the Department of Energy’s Office of Health, Safety and Security or H.S.S. It’s responsible for enforcing the Energy department’s self regulation of nuclear safety, worker health and safety and information security.

Wash. Officials Shocked By Energy Secretary’s Hanford Remark

Anna King — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:33:00 +0000

PASCO, Wash. – Washington state officials are reacting negatively to the possibility that there might be a delay to the Hanford Nuclear Reservation’s massive waste treatment plant. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu raised that prospect in comments last week.