Nuclear Energy

Japanese Officials Visit Hanford For Nuclear Cleanup Strategies

Anna King — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:26:04 +0000

The people overseeing the cleanup of the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster are learning some valuable lessons from the long-running cleanup at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. A Japanese government delegation recently toured some of the southeast Washington site.

In Japan, workers in gloves and masks are grinding down sidewalks and roads, wiping down rooftops and bagging contaminated soil.

Idaho Nuclear Task Force Issues Final Report

Aaron Kunz — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:33:39 +0000

The Idaho nuclear task force presented its final report to lawmakers Wednesday afternoon. It’s raising concerns from environmentalists who say it leaves the door open to transporting radioactive material into the state.

Earthfix reporter Aaron Kunz has more.

Idaho Governor Underscores Commitment to Keep Nuclear Waste Out of Idaho

Aaron Kunz — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:16:50 +0000

Idaho Governor Butch Otter underscored his commitment Monday to keeping more spent nuclear waste from entering Idaho. EarthFix Reporter Aaron Kunz explains.

Federal Government Reviewing Hanford Contractor Payments

Anna King — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:03:47 +0000

The federal government is reviewing three years of payments to a major contractor at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The review follows growing concerns about a nuclear waste treatment plant at the southeast Washington site. Correspondent Anna King explains.

Gregoire’s Relationship With Hanford Long And Complex

Anna King — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:23:31 +0000

When Governor Chris Gregoire leaves office in January, she’ll take with her nearly a quarter-century’s worth of expertise on one of the most contaminated places on Earth.

Hanford Planning Document Leaves A Key Question Dangling

Anna King — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:35:26 +0000

Washington environmental regulators say a new 6,000 page plan for the Hanford Nuclear Reservation is very useful. But it lacks a definitive path forward for treating a large part of the radioactive sludge there.

Idaho Task Force Considers Nuclear Waste

Aaron Kunz — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:58:50 +0000

A task force in Idaho today issued a first draft of recommendations that could include the shipment of spent nuclear waste into the state.

Idaho LINE Commission Delays Recommendation

Aaron Kunz — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:09:03 +0000

An Idaho task force is delaying its release of a draft proposal on ways to strengthen the state’s nuclear energy industry. EarthFix reporter Aaron Kunz was at the task force meeting Friday in Moscow and has the latest.

Radioactive Hanford Waste Tank Has A Confirmed Leak

Anna King — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:40:39 +0000

Managers at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation have confirmed that a radioactive waste tank has a slow leak. That waste isn’t getting into the environment. Richland Correspondent Anna King reports.

Northwest's Only Commercial Nuclear Plant Celebrates Relicensing

Anna King — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:19:42 +0000

Hundreds of employees of the Northwest’s only commercial nuclear power plant celebrated Thursday. The Columbia Generating Station now is licensed to run for another 20 years. Correspondent Anna King was there.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the new 20 year license. That means the plant in southeast Washington will send up plumes of steam, visible for long distances across the desert until 2043. It took employees 5 years to finish the application process. Carl Adrian heads the Tri-City Development Council. He says the plant is an important employer here, but it’s more than that.