top Priorities
Hanford Communities’ Top Priorities identify the cleanup-related issues that most directly affect progress at the Hanford Site and the surrounding region.
These priorities are based on the Hanford Communities 2026 Issue Agenda and reflect the organization’s focus on adequate cleanup funding, long-term cost and schedule reduction, sitewide risk reduction, regulatory alignment and workforce development.
Cleanup Funding
Significant resources will be needed to support continued tank waste treatment, future High-Level Waste Facility work, grouting efforts and risk-reduction activities across the Hanford Site.
Hanford Communities supports adequate cleanup funding for all major areas of Hanford work, not only tank waste treatment. Sustained funding is needed to support cleanup progress at Hanford while also maintaining progress across the broader DOE Environmental Management cleanup complex.
Long-Term Cost and Schedule Reduction
Hanford cleanup is projected to continue for decades, with long-term costs that may be difficult to sustain under current approaches.
Hanford Communities supports continued work by DOE, regulators, Tribal Nations and other key stakeholders to identify safe, effective and more efficient cleanup approaches. This includes evaluating technologies and strategies that could reduce long-term costs, shorten cleanup schedules and support continued protection of human health and the environment.
Sitewide Risk Reduction
Reducing risk across the Hanford Site remains a central cleanup priority.
Hanford Communities supports continued progress on high-priority risk-reduction work, including remediation at the 324 Building, work in the 100 K Area and the transfer of cesium and strontium capsules from the Waste Encapsulation and Storage Facility into dry cask storage.
Regulatory Environment
Alignment among DOE, regulators, Tribal Nations and other key stakeholders is important to support safe and efficient Hanford cleanup.
Hanford Communities supports continued coordination on cleanup priorities, cleanup technologies, regulatory approaches and the appropriate use of regulatory discretion. A clear and workable regulatory environment can help support cleanup progress while maintaining protection of human health and the environment.
Hanford Workforce
Hanford cleanup depends on a skilled and reliable workforce.
Hanford Communities supports continued partnerships among DOE, Hanford contractors, local educational institutions, unions, community organizations and regional employers to strengthen workforce development across the Tri-Cities. These partnerships help prepare workers for current and future cleanup needs while supporting the broader regional economy.