HANFORD, Wash. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released the 2025 Hanford Lifecycle Scope, Schedule, and Cost Report, detailing the extensive cleanup efforts at the Hanford Site.
The report, submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Washington State Department of Ecology, outlines the projected scope, timeline, and cost estimates required for the site’s cleanup.
Noting the complexity and uncertainties involved in the cleanup including risks and environmental safety, the report estimates the cleanup cost at approximately $364 billion, with a high-range estimate reaching $589.4 billion.
The DOE has prioritized tank waste treatment as a central focus in the Hanford Site cleanup.
According to the report, the cleanup effort is targeting three main components: Tank Waste Treatment, Risk Reduction, and Mission and Site Infrastructure. Notably, the DOE is transitioning from risk reduction along the River Corridor to addressing significant challenges in tank waste treatment on the Central Plateau.
The tank waste, which stems from past plutonium production, is stored in underground tanks at the site. Plans are underway to retrieve this waste and prepare it for treatment and immobilization before disposal.
The cleanup mission, which spans from fiscal year 2025 to 2086, also includes long-term stewardship extending until 2100, report stated.
This includes maintaining institutional controls and groundwater monitoring at waste sites and disposal facilities.
