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February 24, 2010 in Idaho

Hanford’s risks are large

Energy Department outlines options for nuclear waste cleanup
Becky Kramer The Spokesman-Review
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Tags: Hanford Nuclear Reservation U.S. Department of Energy

Even after billions of dollars are spent cleaning up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, radioactive waste could threaten the Columbia River for thousands of years to come.

A government analysis shows that hot spots of uranium, strontium 90 and other potential carcinogens could linger in Hanford’s groundwater for nearly 10,000 years. The analysis is part of a 6,000-page document outlining the U.S. Department of Energy’s options for dealing with leaky underground storage tanks.

But that’s a worst-case scenario, Department of Energy officials said Tuesday night. The goal is to ensure that groundwater leaving Hanford after the cleanup meets drinking water …

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