U.S. DOE Announcement not to Store Mercury at Hanford a "Major Victory" for the Columbia
CRK applauded the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) announcement that Hanford is no longer a top choice as the nation's new mercury waste storage site. DOE has chosen a site in Andrews, Texas, as its preferred alternative, based on the remote location and lack of nearby water. The Hanford Site, in contrast, is perched on the banks of the Columbia River. Last year, DOE included Hanford on a list of seven sites that it would consider for storing mercury waste. At public hearings held in 2009, CRK joined concerned citizens, elected officials, and the Oregon Department of Energy in urging DOE to take a hard look at the environmental impacts of importing more waste to Hanford, which is the nation's largest cleanup site.
"We're pleased DOE is listening. Considering the nuclear waste and toxic pollution at Hanford today, making Hanford the nation's mercury dump is unacceptable." explained CRK's Executive Director Brett VandenHeuvel.
"Importing more waste to Hanford is simply bad judgment. Riverkeeper asked our federal and state leaders to keep their eye on the ball and focus on cleaning up Hanford, not adding more waste. DOE's announcement is a strong signal that decision-makers in D.C. are listening to people of the Northwest," stated VandenHeuvel.
The Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008 requires DOE to designate facilities for the long-term management and storage of element mercury generated within the United States. Last year, DOE held hearings across the U.S. to get public input on the environmental impacts of importing waste to sites including Hanford, DOE's Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, DOE's Savannah River site in Aiken, South Carolina, and several others. In a Draft Environmental Impact Statement released on January 22, 2010, DOE announced that it would select a site in Andrews, Texas based on its remote location and lack of nearby water. DOE is currently accepting public comments on this proposal.
"DOE's decision is a major victory for the people of the Columbia River and the endangered salmon that rely on the Hanford Reach for survival, " stated VandenHeuvel.
Columbia Riverkeeper is a non-profit organization that has been monitoring cleanup activities at Hanford since 1989 and plays an active role in environmental cleanup decisions at Hanford.
For more information on the proposal and the Draft Environmental Impact Statements, see
