Senator Wyden Tours Hanford Nuclear Reservation

February 19, 2013, 9:19 pm

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden from Oregon toured the Hanford Nuclear Reservatin in Eastern Washington Tuesday.  He spoke with KXL saying the bottom line is that the combination of a waste disposal plan that is far behind schedule and leaking double and single shell tanks reinforces the view is that we are dealing with here is an unacceptable threat to the Pacific Northwest.

As far as the leaking tank which hold some 56 million gallons of toxic mud underground, Wyden says he agrees with what Washington Governor Jay Inslee said last week that as much as 300 gallons per year of radioactive waste is leaking.  Wyden also said on the treatment plant there are unresolved safety issues as well in the form of potential hydrogen explosions and erosion and corrosion of the hulls and pipes.

Wyden says he is anxiously awaiting the appointment of the new Energy Secretary.  He say she plans to use his new leadership position as Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to move the Hanford situation up the priority list.

Add your comments below
Display Name:
Headline:
Comments:
|

Boston Marathon

How are you feeling following the Boston Marathon bombings?

: Angry

: Sad

: Vigilant

: I didn't hear about it