Hanford Communities

The Department of Energy is draining the last large concrete basin at the Hanford Site that stored reactor fuel rods from the Cold War era. Workers are pumping contaminated water from the 1.2-million-gallon K West Reactor Basin and transporting it to a nearby treatment facility, aiming to protect groundwater and the Columbia River.

The K West Reactor basin was filled with 16 feet of water to cool irradiated uranium fuel and shield workers from radiation. Cleanup workers are preparing the basin for grouting by moving radioactive debris into underwater bins and steel tubes.

The project is led by the Central Plateau Cleanup Company with support from Hanford Mission Integration Solutions and Washington River Protections Solutions.

Every six months, the Department of Energy releases "Hanford by the Numbers," a report detailing numerical benchmarks for the cleanup efforts. This June, the report introduces new benchmarks to track the progress of ongoing operations and cleanup activities, particularly with the Vit plant coming online and the implementation of the Settlement Agreement.

🛢️ Waste from 22 tanks in 200 West Area to be retrieved by 2040
💧 2,000 wells supporting 6 facilities treating 2 billion+ gallons of groundwater annually for 9 years
🛤️ 274 miles of roads, 100 miles of underground water systems, and 186 miles of power lines supporting the mission
🔋 Over 20 MW of power managed
⚛️ 9 reactors being cocooned or preserved; 1 more to go
🔥 2 melters at 2,100°F making test glass to treat tank waste
📅 2025: Start immobilizing tank waste in glass via Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program
📦 1,936 capsules of radioactive cesium and strontium to be moved to dry storage in 2025

For more information, visit: https://www.energy.gov/em/hanford-numbers

🎆 Happy Independence Day! 🎆

Wishing everyone a joyful and safe celebration as we honor the spirit of freedom and unity. May your day be filled with fun, laughter, and memorable moments with loved ones. ✨

A tank-tastic milestone!

Crews have completed the removal of radioactive waste from Tank AX-101, marking the completion of operations for the fourth and final underground tank in the AX Farm group. This achievement involved safely transferring 350,000 gallons of waste from the tank, making it the 21st single-shell tank to undergo retrieval.

Looking ahead, crews will soon commence preparations to remove waste from the next set of tanks in A Farm over the coming weeks.

Link to the Tri-City Herald article in the comments below ⬇️

At the Vit Plant, our teams continue to gain experience and proficiency with the Low-Activity Waste Facility container finishing handling (LFH) system. Within the LAW Facility, there are two finishing lines with mirror image corridors that contain equipment needed to receive immobilized low-activity waste (ILAW) containers. Essential finishing line functions include container measuring, sample testing, and lid placement.

Our LAW Facility crews in the finishing lines recently completed the process of “lidding” two test containers and transferred each to the export bay. Great job, Vit Plant team!

This week, we hear from Stephanie Schleif, the Nuclear Waste Program Manager for the Washington Department of Ecology - Hanford about their role as a regulator for Hanford cleanup. Learn about the historical significance, the challenges faced, and the efforts to regulate cleanup at one of the Hanford site.

🔍 Dive into:
• The history and impact of the Hanford site
• The Tri-Party Agreement and its milestones
• The role of the Department of Ecology in overseeing and regulating cleanup efforts
• Personal insights and motivations driving the team

Read the full blog: Navigating Nuclear Legacy: Insights from Stephanie Schleif on Hanford Site Cleanup and the Role of the Department of Ecology here:

Navigating Nuclear Legacy: Insights from Stephanie Schleif on Hanford Site Cleanup and the Role of the Department of Ecology - Hanford Communities My name is Stephanie Schleif, I am the Nuclear Waste Program Manager for Washington State Department of Ecology. I have been with the program and Ecology for almost 11 years and have been the Program Manager since March 2024.

Major leadership changes have been announced at the Hanford site today! John Eschenberg, President of the Central Plateau Cleanup Company (CPCCo), will be departing. Taking over from him will be Bob Wilkinson, current President of Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS). Additionally, Amy Basche, currently the Chief Operations Officer at HMIS.

New presidents coming to 2 Hanford contractors with more than 3,500 workers Changes will take effect in July.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is likely to miss its August 1 deadline for beginning cold commissioning of the Hanford site’s vitrification plant due to minor equipment issues.

These issues need resolution before using nonradioactive chemicals to simulate waste in the Low Activity Waste Facility. DOE has requested a four-month extension to November 29.

Despite this delay, DOE remains committed to starting radioactive waste treatment by the August 2025 deadline. The Department of Ecology is reviewing the extension request, which requires federal court approval.

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DOE manages resource stewardship including the protection of our nation's iconic Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). In 2017, the the Bald Eagle Management Plan was created to inventory, monitor, and manage eagle nesting, roosting, foraging, and perching sites.

Although the Bald Eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007, it remains a species of conservation concern.

The Hanford Site is home to a variety of wildlife and is a vital winter habitat for Bald Eagles, offering abundant food from salmon carcasses and waterfowl.

Today, we celebrate our national symbol and the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve these incredible birds. 🦅💙

John D. Wagoner passed away on June 6 in Knoxville, Tennessee, at the age of 83.

In 1990, approximately a year after the Tri-Party Agreement initiated Hanford cleanup, he was appointed interim Hanford manager.

His responsibilities included overseeing the Hanford cleanup and PNNL. After serving as interim manager for 17 months, he became the official Hanford manager in 1991 and retired in early 1999.

Read more at:

Former top official with ‘most important, difficult job’ at Hanford nuclear site dies He led much of the transition from weapons plutonium production to environmental cleanup.

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This week celebrates essential pollinators—bees, butterflies, and more.

Learn more about pollinators and other insects that inhabit the Hanford site on this episode of "Let's Talk about Hanford". It's an "oldie" but a "goodie"!

Let's Talk About Hanford: Insects and their habitats at Hanford For this conversation, our guest speaker provided an overview of some of the insects that call Hanford home. We also discussed what an environmentally restor...

Hanford in the classroom with The STEM Foundation's "Stem Like Me!" Program! 🎒📚

Find out more about "Stem Like Me!": https://washingtonstemeducation.org/stem-like-me/

🌟 Last week, Hanford Communities participated in the Rad Waste Summit which brought together a group of officials from the Department of Energy, large DOE contractors, small businesses, and national laboratories. 🌍

The forum focused on discussing nuclear waste cleanup efforts across the country and sharing best practices. Highlights included panels on the future of DOE sites with a special focus on the Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative.

Hanford’s tank waste treatment program took center stage in one panel, with representatives from DOE, WRPS, and PNNL. There were also critical discussions on storage strategies for commercial used fuel and defense nuclear waste, both of which are relevant to the Tri-Cities area.

This event was a fantastic opportunity to ensure the Tri-Cities was represented in these essential conversations. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of ongoing cleanup projects and learned valuable lessons that can help with nuclear cleanup and disposition efforts near our community.

Thank you to everyone who participated and made sure our voices were heard! Together, we're driving progress in nuclear cleanup and clean energy initiatives. ✨

Dive into the history and recent proposed changes to the Tri-Party Agreement (TPA), an outline for Hanford cleanup signed on May 15, 1989, by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Washington State Department of Ecology. This agreement has been the framework in addressing cleanup at the Hanford site.

📅 What’s New in 2024?
Discover the latest proposed updates to the TPA and how these changes will impact the ongoing cleanup efforts.

🗣️ Your Voice Matters!
Public input is vital to the success of this initiative. Join us in upcoming public meetings and make your voice heard during the comment period.

🔗 Read the full blog post to learn more and get involved in the link below.

The Tri-Party Agreement: A Framework for Hanford Cleanup - Hanford Communities After plutonium production ended at Hanford there was a great deal of uncertainty about the path forward for the Site, including the plan for cleanup. On May 15, 1989, the plan began to take shape when the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Washington State....

And that’s a batch!

Crews at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) have poured the first test glass from a second melter into a stainless-steel container at the Low-Activity Waste (LAW) Facility. This is a major milestone, showing that both melters are fully operational. 🙌

This step is crucial for commissioning the facility to vitrify (a.k.a. “glassify) millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical waste from our underground tanks. The ongoing glass pours from Melter 2 help control room staff practice the process, getting the site ready for future waste treatment operations.

In the near future, treated waste will be mixed with glass-forming materials and safely stored in stainless steel containers at Hanford’s Integrated Disposal Facility (IDF). ♻️🔬

What is the Tri-Party Agreement (TPA)?
Established in 1989, the TPA is a legally binding document that outlines the cleanup responsibilities at the Hanford Site. Recently, DOE, and its regulators, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Washington State Department of Ecology, made landmark changes to this document that lays out realistic and safe timelines, as well as changes in the agreed upon scope of work.

But what are the roles of the regulators? Find out more as we discuss the “role of the regulators” over the next few months!

After four years of Holistic Negotiations, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Washington State Department of Ecology, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced an agreement on a proposed plan for management and treatment of the Hanford Site’s tank waste. A 60-day public comment period open begins today and is available for public comment submission through August 2.

Additionally, the agencies will hold three regional meetings in Richland, Washington; Olympia, Washington; and Hood River, Oregon. The public is invited to participate in all three meetings in-person or virtually via Microsoft Teams:
• July 9, 6 p.m. PT, Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, Richland, WA 99352 / Microsoft Teams
• July 10, 6 p.m. PT, DoubleTree Hotel, 415 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501/ Microsoft Teams
• July 11, 6 p.m. PT, Hood River Hotel, 102 Oak St, Hood River, OR 97031/ Microsoft Teams

For more information about the public comment period, meetings, and proposed changes to the Tri-Party Agreement and consent decree, visit: https://www.hanford.gov/pageAction.cfm/calendar/rl?&IndEventID=17064&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1dPNvVRdIeXSWV5qExYFGp4eyWTVXbu31UBjh6pFRLIWaNuJytFIRQgY0_aem_AfWUQ1X4LZ7AhEa_v5-i0hShasDIQ9t6JYVq12nVsrrSuvOEbBpAvTBxXpki07FBOmnbrdZzUCce6rljmVYlf7ph

Please join us in congratulating Candice Robertson, who has been appointed as the acting Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM-1)! She will be a tremendous asset to the Department of Energy cleanup complex in this new capacity.

With nearly 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, Robertson has held various leadership roles in U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM), including Associate Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Corporate Services, Chief Communications Officer, and Acting Associate Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Field Operations. She has also served as a Senior Advisor to DOE Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm and DOE Deputy Secretary David M. Turk, and as Deputy Chief of Staff to three DOE Deputy Secretaries.

A former Nye County (NV) Commissioner and Energy Communities Alliance Board Member, Robertson has worked closely with governments, unions, contractors, citizen advisory boards, regulators, universities, and activists. Candice's extensive experience and expertise make her an excellent choice for the EM program.

The 242-A Evaporator is one step closer to restart. An assessment underway in early May will evaluate the evaporator to ensure its ready to safely restart. Over the past five years, tank operations contractor Washington River Protection Solutions has worked to update the facility which helps reduce the volume of waste in underground storage tanks by removing water. Once the contractor’s assessment is complete, the Department of Energy will conduct its own assessment before the evaporator can restart.

Recently, Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) hosted its third annual ECA New Nuclear Development Forum in Kennewick, WA. This event gathered representatives from various government levels, developers, utilities, regulators, industry professionals, and academia to explore opportunities, address challenges, and form partnerships essential for advancing nuclear development.

While Hanford Communities’ focus is mainly on cleanup, we also support opportunities associated with the Hanford site and surrounding area. Our vision is to fully realize its possibilities, not only supporting the ongoing cleanup but also championing our local industry partners and those leading new nuclear ventures in the region.

In addition to the forum, ECA offered tours of the B Reactor, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Energy Northwest, providing a closer look at the innovation and history within our community.

Thank you to all who participated and contributed to the success of this event. Together, we are shaping the future of nuclear energy.

WPPSS No. 2 under construction, September 1975.

🌍 May is National Clean Air Month, highlighting the vital work of federal and state agencies in safeguarding air quality standards. 🌬️

Did you know that this effort extends to places like the Hanford site, with its history of nuclear activities and aging structures containing hazardous materials?

At Hanford, the Hanford Environmental Radiation Oversight Program, overseen by the U.S. Department of Energy, ensures accurate radiation monitoring, addressing public concerns and overseeing cleanup efforts. In conjunction with the Department of Health, it conducts independent sampling and assessment to uphold program accuracy.

Additionally, the Hanford Site-wide Risk Review Project, led by Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), evaluates risks and impacts with input from educational institutions and the public.

Last but not least, the Washington State Department of Ecology regulates Hanford’s Air Operating Permit (AOP), covering emissions control and pollution oversight. Here’s a snapshot of how it operates:

🔍 Regulation Scope: AOP oversees various emissions, ensuring pollution control.
⚖️ Enforceable Terms: It holds parties accountable for air quality standards.
📊 Emissions Tracking: Regular reports monitor emissions and control measures.
✅ Certification Requirement: The Department of Energy must certify compliance with AOP standards.
🤝 Collaborative Enforcement: Agencies work together to enforce regulations.
🛡️ Protection for All: AOP aims to shield residents and wildlife from harmful releases.

For more on the Air Operating Permit, visit: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/nwp/permitting/AIR/AOP/renewal/three/index.html

What’s WESF and where’s it going? While there are plenty of jokes about “glowing” around the Hanford site, WESF is actually one of the few places that does glow! As cesium and strontium decay, the water emits a cool blue glow known as the Cherenkov Glow! 😮

The Waste Encapsulation and Storage Facility (WESF) at Hanford plays a crucial role in Hanford’s cleanup efforts. Between 1967 and 1983, cesium and strontium were securely stored there after being extracted from Hanford's single-shell waste tanks to help lower the temperature of the tanks.

Now, these capsules are safely stored in an underground basin at WESF, under the watchful eye of the Department of Energy, until they can be moved to interim dry storage to ensure their long-term safety. The transfer operation is set to kick off in 2025, marking a significant step towards deactivating WESF.

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Today, let's take a moment to honor and appreciate the incredible educators who play a vital role in shaping our communities. Their dedication and passion empower students to explore, learn, and make a positive impact on the world around them.

In the context of Hanford cleanup, teachers serve as key allies in fostering environmental awareness and engagement. Through their guidance, students not only learn about the importance of conservation but also understand the history of the Hanford Site, contributing to a more informed and involved community.

Thank you teachers—no matter the capacity, we are grateful for all that you do!

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Navigating through the complexities of Hanford cleanup can often feel weighty, but injecting a bit of humor into the conversation can lighten the load.

Laughter not only uplifts spirits but also fosters resilience in facing challenging topics. Let's sprinkle some laughter into the mix as we work towards a cleaner, brighter future! 😄✨

A landmark agreement has been reached involving the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE), Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to tackle the monumental task of cleaning up radioactive and chemical tank waste at the Hanford Site! 🚀

Here's a snapshot of what's proposed:
• Proposed Amendments: A 60-day public comment period kicks off on May 30 to gather feedback on amendments to cleanup agreements.
• Key Highlights: Plans include maintaining timeframes for waste treatment, utilizing vitrification, and constructing additional storage facilities.
• Agencies in Agreement: The Tri-Party agencies agree to move forward with grouting Hanford’s Supplemental Low Activity Waste (SLAW) for permanent out of state disposal.
• Commitment from USDOE: USDOE pledges to refrain from applying its interpretation of "high-level waste" during disposal.
• Public Engagement: Regional meetings in Washington and Oregon will provide opportunities for public input.
• Next Steps: Finalization of changes hinges on public feedback, court acceptance, and agency implementation.

WA, feds upend plan to clean up one of nation’s most costly, dangerous radioactive sites Federal and state spent nearly 4 years negotiating the agreement for the Hanford site near the Columbia River at Richland, WA.

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