RICHLAND, Wash. — Political leaders in Washington State are expressing concern and support for the continuation of a multi-billion dollar project aimed at converting nuclear waste at the Hanford site into glass. This comes after the head of the U.S. Department of Energy allegedly told a Washington State senator they might halt the project due to “safety concerns.”
Governor Bob Ferguson visited the Tri-Cities today, after Senator Patty Murray engaged in discussions with Energy Secretary Chris Wright following rumors that the DOE might prevent the project from moving forward. According to a representative from Murray’s office, Secretary Wright indicated the DOE’s intention to stop the waste treatment plant from becoming fully operational, citing unspecified safety concerns. However, Murray said Wright could not elaborate on these concerns.
The Waste Treatment Plant, which has already cost over $30 billion, is designed to turn nuclear waste into glass so it can be safely disposed of. Casey Sixkiller, Director of the Washington Department of Ecology, which helps regulate the Hanford site refuted claims of safety issues, stating, “There is no evidence -no evidence- of any outstanding safety issues with the waste treatment plant. We are confident the plant is ready for hot commissioning.”
For the last several months, the Waste Treatment Plant has been operating under cold commissioning, testing all the systems with chemicals designed to mock nuclear waste without the harmful impacts should something go wrong. Although it’s still a testing stage before the plant begins full-scale operations, the hot commissioning phase introduces real nuclear waste, stored at the Hanford site.
Both Senator Murray and Governor Ferguson emphasized that federal court orders mandate the Waste Treatment Plant begin hot commissioning by October 15, as per longstanding agreements between Washington state and the federal government.
Ferguson said he is ready to act if the Department of Energy doesn’t allow the plant to proceed to the next phase.
“We’re not waiting – it’s not going to be some ‘next administration’ on this – I want to be very clear. I want to be very, very clear, right? This is a now situation, it’s a now problem. I’m not big on waiting around in general on life, but I’m sure as heck not waiting around on this one. No, no, this is a now situation and I’m confident the judge is not going to be waiting around for very long,” said Ferguson.
Governor Ferguson said he remains hopeful that the Department of Energy will permit the project to advance without court intervention. The Department of Energy has not yet commented on Secretary Wright’s conversation with Senator Murray.
This is a developing story and we will provide updates as they become available.