Hanford waste stranded by Yucca Mountain decision

The tanks are still there, 177 in all, packed with 53 million gallons of radioactive waste. One million gallons have leached into the desert soil.

Wed., March 17, 2010, 2:43 p.m.

Judge denies sick woman’s motion for speedy trial

A judge today denied a sick woman’s motion for an expedited trial in the long-running Hanford “downwinders” lawsuits.

Sun., March 14, 2010

Sick downwinder seeks trial

With the fingers of her right hand, Deborah Clark presses firmly on a gaping surgical hole in her neck. It’s the only way she can speak. The words that emerge …

Tue., Feb. 23, 2010

In brief: Energy Department to discuss Hanford

The cleanup of underground storage tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation will be the topic of a public meeting from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. tonight at the Red Lion …

Wed., Feb. 10, 2010, 12:40 p.m.

Analysis warns Hanford cleanup would take decades

PORTLAND, Ore. — A federal proposal for cleaning up the nation’s most contaminated nuclear site says radioactive contaminants from the sprawling Hanford nuclear reservation could threaten the Columbia River for …

Mon., Feb. 1, 2010, 9:10 a.m.

Swarm of small quakes in past year under Hanford

In the past year about 2,000 small quakes have rattled an area under the Hanford nuclear reservation.

Thu., Jan. 21, 2010, 8:15 a.m.

More Hanford downwinder claims going to trial

More Hanford downwinders could be going to trial to have their claims heard in a 19-year-old case.

Mon., Nov. 2, 2009

State’s stimulus take hefty

In the race for stimulus dollars, Washington is well ahead of the pack in winning valuable government contracts. Federal contracts awarded to companies and government agencies in the state are …

Fri., Oct. 23, 2009

Excavators unearthing a bottled-up history

RICHLAND – A glass beer bottle with a faded label that says “brewed in Walla Walla.” Two children’s marbles. A 1938 Buick Roadmaster hubcap. Heavy white ceramic shaving mugs. And …

Fri., Oct. 2, 2009, 9:57 a.m.

GAO suggests leaving more waste in Hanford tanks

The Government Accountability Office says the Energy Department should consider leaving more waste in underground tanks at the Hanford nuclear reservation.

Wed., Sept. 2, 2009, 9:30 a.m.

Study: Higher cancer rates for Hanford workers

Former Hanford construction workers have an increased risk of death from a blood cancer linked to radiation and another cancer linked to asbestos, according to a new study.

Tue., Sept. 1, 2009

Hanford landfill may tell of history

RICHLAND – Fifty-thousand people produce a lot of trash. Who knew their dumpsite could be listed on the National Register of Historic Places? A dusty, rural stretch of southeast Washington …

Thu., Aug. 20, 2009

Editorial: Hanford assurances too familiar to taxpayers

Residents of the Pacific Northwest can be forgiven if they don’t share the confidence and enthusiasm that a lineup of state and federal officials showed last week when they announced …

Mon., Aug. 17, 2009, 12:37 p.m.

Feds inspecting Hanford nuclear power plant

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is conducting a special inspection of the power plant at the Hanford nuclear reservation because of the electrical fire that shut it down.

Wed., Aug. 12, 2009

Hanford gets new timeline

RICHLAND – Washington state and federal officials announced a court-enforceable schedule Tuesday for cleaning up the nation’s most contaminated nuclear site, ending more than two years of negotiations that followed …

Tue., Aug. 11, 2009, 2:07 p.m.

New agreement reached on Hanford cleanup deadlines

RICHLAND — Washington state and federal officials have agreed on new cleanup deadlines for the nation’s most contaminated nuclear site.

Fri., July 10, 2009, 10:56 a.m.

Work to start on Hanford K reactors burial ground

RICHLAND — A Pocatello, Idaho, company has won a $9 million contract to clean up a burial site at the Hanford nuclear reservation that contains radiation-contaminated waste.

Tue., July 7, 2009, 9:13 a.m.

Hanford considered for national mercury storage

The Hanford nuclear reservation is one of seven sites the Energy Department is considering as a national, long-term storage site for mercury.

Mon., May 18, 2009

Stimulus recipients have past problems

WASHINGTON – A private company was being paid $300 million by the federal government to clean up radioactive waste at two abandoned Cold War plants in Tennessee when an ironworker …

Tue., April 21, 2009, 9:24 p.m.

Settlements being readied for some downwinders

For the first time in the protracted Hanford downwinders lawsuit, the lead lawyer for government contractors said Tuesday his companies are ready to offer cash settlements to a few of …

Thu., April 2, 2009, 10:38 a.m.

Hanford contractors announce hiring plans

Hanford contractors say they are making quick work of identifying candidates for at least 600 positions they expect to fill in about the next six weeks with federal money to …

Mon., March 30, 2009, 1:09 p.m.

All Hanford nuclear reservation tours booked

The free public tours of the Hanford nuclear reservation are all booked. Radio station KONA reports all 2,500 slots were filled Monday morning by online registration.

Mon., March 30, 2009

Hanford active area may shrink

KENNEWICK – The Department of Energy is proposing shrinking the portion of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation that will need long-term active management to as little as 10 square miles at …

Wed., March 11, 2009, 10:24 a.m.

9th Circuit sides with state on Hanford waste

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the state of Washington does have authority over certain radioactive waste mixed with hazardous chemicals at Hanford.

Fri., Feb. 20, 2009, 11:08 a.m.

Stimulus package to create 4,400 jobs at Hanford

TRI-CITIES — The Energy Department projects that $2 billion from the federal stimulus package will create 4,400 jobs at the Hanford nuclear reservation.

Fri., Feb. 6, 2009, 9:01 a.m.

Washington state, feds agree on Hanford cleanup

KENNEWICK, Wash. — State and federal officials have agreed to new deadlines for cleaning up groundwater and some radioactive waste areas at the nation’s most contaminated nuclear site, but a …

Mon., Jan. 26, 2009

A time of transition at Hanford

RICHLAND – Each year, the federal government spends roughly $2 billion to rid the nation’s most contaminated nuclear site of toxic and radioactive waste. Now, winds of change are blowing …

Sun., Jan. 18, 2009

Contract extended for Hanford services

Fluor Hanford’s contract to provide support services at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation has been extended six months. The Energy Department’s action keeps about 1,700 Fluor employees working on utilities, security, …

Tue., Dec. 16, 2008

Ruling may clear way for Hanford payout

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Hanford Nuclear Reservation contractors in the massive downwinders lawsuit, raising hopes for a legal settlement for as many as 2,000 radiation-exposed …