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 the thousands of people who believe their illnesses were caused by radiation releases.
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 stimulate the economy.
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.
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.
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 lawsuit over other missed deadlines remains in court.
