Hanford

The Hanford site serves as a key piece of the Tri-City economy.  Our special coverage takes a closer look at Hanford’s workforce, cleanup efforts and costs, and the status of key projects, including the massive vitrification plant currently under construction at the 586-square-mile site in our backyard.

In 2021, the vit plant team completed all startup testing of components and systems associated with transforming low-activity tank waste into a safe form for disposal. (Courtesy Becthel National)

2022 highlights include vit plant startup, groundwater progress, reactor cocooning and more

Everything about Hanford is huge. Its area: 580 square miles. Its waterfront: 40 miles of Columbia River. Its workforce: 10,000, including 300 federal employees. Its...
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Our progress lays foundation for new cleanup era at Hanford

Over the past year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and our contractor partners have made significant cleanup progress while establishing the safest possible environment...
 Working at night to avoid heat stress during record-breaking heat on the Hanford site, Washington River Protection Solutions workers sample waste inside a tank to develop corrosion control strategies that will prolong the life of that tank. (Courtesy WRPS)

Battle over ‘disappointing’ Hanford budget heats up days after Biden signs 2022 plan

President Joe Biden cut an estimated $172 million from the Hanford cleanup plan in his fiscal year 2023 budget request released just days after he...
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Hanford Advisory Board seeks volunteers to increase representation

The Hanford Advisory Board, which provides a public voice to the Hanford cleanup mission, is seeking volunteers to increase representation. The HAB has issued more...
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There’s reason for optimism in the year ahead at Hanford

2021 was an eventful year for cleanup work at the Hanford site. That goes double for our Washington State Department of Ecology’s Nuclear Waste Program...
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HAEIF has provided $25 million in loans to 47 businesses, municipalities

The Hanford Area Economic Investment Fund was established by the Washington State Legislature in 1991 when local leaders, recognizing the mission of the Hanford Nuclear...
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Tri-City leaders push grout as better, faster, cheaper approach to Hanford’s low-level tank waste

Gary Petersen A coalition of high-profile Tri-City business and civic leaders is pushing Hanford managers and regulators to encapsulate low-level tank...
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Vit plant readies to heat up world’s largest melter 

In 2022, the Hanford Vit Plant team will tackle some of the most complex and challenging milestones on our journey to transform low-activity radiological and...