Take Action: Hanford

Dear U.S. Dept. of Energy,

I urge you to prioritize a thorough clean up at the Hanford Nuclear Site. Hanford cleanup is at a crossroads, with increased pressure for nuclear development threatening to derail a thorough and protective cleanup. I am concerned that efforts to develop nuclear energy, coupled with federal deregulation of safety and oversight, are impacting the Hanford cleanup by drawing away resources, adding more waste, and complicating cleanup actions. Further, I am very concerned that budget cuts will impair the agencies’ ability to pursue the active cleanup of the River Corridor that is still required. Under these pressures, DOE cannot simply prioritize projects that show quick, short term progress and forgo a cleanup that will be truly protective of people and the environment long term.

Specifically, I urge Energy to-

Address the source of contamination. The pump-and-treat systems along the River remove significant quantities of hexavalent chromium, and the Central Plateau systems remove significant quantities of uranium and technetium. To support this groundwater protection, cleaning up the sources of the pollution before contamination reaches groundwater should remain among the highest priorities at Hanford.

Request a sufficient budget. The movement of high-level waste from the Waste Encapsulation Storage Facility (WESF) deserves the utmost attention and care. At the same time, vitrification of tank waste remains a tremendous effort, and so lowering budgets could mean that other cleanup priorities suffer. This should not be the case: Energy should request, and Congress should approve, a budget that meets the goals set out in the Tri-Party Agreement.

Cleanup of Hanford is an effort to protect cold, clean water for generations. DOE must prioritize people and the environment when making cleanup decisions today.

Sincerely,