Nuclear Waste

Hanford Waste Plan Under Debate In New Mexico

Elaine Baumgartel — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:30:38 +0000

CARLSBAD, N.M. - Last month, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a plan to send some nuclear waste from leaky storage tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation to southern New Mexico. The proposed new storage site is near Carlsbad and it's called the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. WIPP, as it’s known, has been prohibited from receiving Hanford tank waste for nearly a decade.

What Makes Hanford’s 'TRU' Tank Waste Different From The Rest?

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:12:32 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash. - The U.S. Department of Energy says its wants to send 3 million gallons of radioactive tank waste at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation to a storage site in New Mexico.

Inslee: Best Case, Tank Waste Removal Will Take Years

Anna King — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:33:51 +0000

It may take two to four years to even begin clearing radioactive waste from leaking tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. That’s according to Washington Governor Jay Inslee. He toured the southeast Washington nuclear site Wednesday. Correspondent Anna King was on that bus tour and has more.

Regulators Say Leaking Hanford Tanks Pose No Threat To Locals

Alexandra Kocik — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:09:05 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Environmental regulators are assuring lawmakers in Olympia that leaking radioactive material from tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation has not yet reached ground water.

Inslee Expresses Concern Over Hanford Leaks, Other Areas of Site

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:59:06 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington Governor Jay Inslee Wednesday expressed his continuing apprehension over the tank leaks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in southeast Washington.

Wyden Calls For Investigation Into Hanford's Leaking Tanks

Anna King — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:17:30 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash. – Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is calling for a federal investigation into the leaking tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in southeast Washington. Tuesday the senator asked the federal Government Accountability Office to look into the six single-hulled tanks that are losing radioactive waste.

Wyden is the new chair of a committee that closely watches and funds work at Hanford.

Hanford Tanks Could Be Leaking Three Gallons Per Day

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:53:52 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash. – A new detail has emerged on the leaking tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The federal Energy Department acknowledged last week that six single-shelled tanks are holding less radioactive waste than they used to. Monday the agency said those tanks are losing less than three gallons a day.

Worst case: Three gallons per day adds up to 1,095 gallons of radioactive waste per year.

Sen. Wyden Wants Investigation Into More Tank Leaks At Hanford

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 01:58:07 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash. – Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will be asking the federal Government Accountability Office to investigate the Hanford Nuclear Reservation’s tank monitoring and maintenance program. This after Friday’s revelation that a total of seven tanks are leaking at Hanford, and there might be more.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee met with Energy Secretary Steven Chu Friday. The Democratic governor says Chu told him that the agency is looking for faster ways to secure the leaking underground tanks of waste.

Inslee Says At Least Seven Tanks At Hanford Leaking

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 00:45:59 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington Governor Jay Inslee says at least seven tanks of radioactive waste at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation are leaking, not two. He says the Department of Energy and its contractors have apparently miscalculated data that would have found the leaks earlier.

Governor Inslee called the revelation that six single-shell tanks and one double-shell tank are actively leaking at Hanford ‘disturbing’ news.

Sen. Wyden: Hanford Will Be Priority For Next Energy Secretary

Anna King — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:33:29 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash. – Problems at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation will be a key issue in the confirmation hearings for the next Secretary of Energy. That’s what Oregon Senator Ron Wyden said after he toured the southeast Washington site Tuesday.

Wyden chairs the Senate committee that will consider President Obama’s pick to replace Energy Secretary Steven Chu. The Oregon Democrat toured Hanford’s tank farms, where millions of gallons of radioactive waste is stored.