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.

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Hanford plant is on cusp of melting waste after an eventful 2020

By Guest Contributor | April 2021
The Hanford site team has consistently supported our nation during unprecedented times and this year has been no different. The innovation and determination of our...
Local officials, including Washington’s congressional delegation, are working to ensure the new leaders in the executive branch understand the complex cleanup work that needs to continue at Hanford. (Courtesy Bechtel National Inc.)

What does a new administration mean for Hanford?

By Guest Contributor | April 2021
What does having a new president in office mean for Hanford? Specifically, what does it mean to have President Joe Biden, a former vice president...
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State’s new manager hopes to offer fresh look at Hanford’s challenging issues

By Guest Contributor | April 2021
As the new manager for the state of Washington’s Nuclear Waste Program, I appreciate the opportunity to reach out and introduce myself to the Tri-City...
Construction is complete on all facilities at the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant needed to begin tank waste treatment via the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste (DFLAW) program. (Courtesy Bechtel National Inc.)

You’ve heard about the vit plant, but do you know what it will do?

By Wendy Culverwell | April 2021
Every community has a local language, terms that are commonplace to locals but baffling to visitors. For the Tri-Cities, “vitrification” – the process of superheating...
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Bechtel’s vitrification plant heating up in 2021

By Guest Contributor | April 2021
Progress is heating up at Hanford’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. Also known as the vit plant, the project is taking a permanent step forward...
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Building on past progress for a brighter future

By Guest Contributor | April 2021
Jan. 25 marked our official start of work as the new contractor for nuclear waste cleanup on the Hanford site’s Central Plateau and along the...
The Tri-Cities Local Business Association and other small business advocates expressed concern about how small Hanford subcontractors were handled during recent contract changes at the Hanford site. (Courtesy Tri-Cities Local Business Association)

Small Hanford subcontractors cry foul amid contractor changes

By Guest Contributor | April 2021
It’s the suddenness that bothers Phil Gallagher, senior vice president of Babcock Services Inc., a longtime Hanford subcontractor. No one had a chance to prepare...
Ice Harbor Lock and Dam

‘Friend of Hanford’ at odds with community leaders on breaching dams

By Wendy Culverwell | April 2021
An Idaho congressman is a well- known supporter of Hanford funding, but his ambitious plan to rescue salmon by breaching the four Lower Snake River...
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