HANFORD, Wash. – Plans for a new facility at Hanford are underway, focusing on handling two types of waste. Some mixed low-level radioactive waste will be treated for disposal at Hanford, while contact-handled waste will be shipped to New Mexico for storage.
Officials at a recent meeting addressed why the site won’t continue using its current disposal process, Perma-Fix. They explained that the new plan is necessary and designed to handle waste from other facilities, though it won’t be used for off-site waste.
“Hanford does not plan to bring off site waste to be treated at this facility. I just said the facility – I used the word plausible because it’s design could,” said Duane Carter with the Department of Energy.
Duane Carter with the Department of Energy shared insights into the facility’s planning. Studies were conducted last November to ensure safety standards are met and employees are properly trained and equipped.
Carter mentioned that while a location for the facility has not been set, bidding for a site will begin later this year. More public comment meetings are expected to follow.
