Hanford News & Updates

From Glow to Glass: The Journey of Hanford’s Radioactive Waste
The signature radioactive blueish / green glow. We’ve all seen it in movies, and if you ever have the opportunity to see it in person, it’s eerily fascinating. But when tank waste is treated using a process called vitrification (turning waste into a glass like substance), does it still glow?

The Mythical Kingdom Beyond the Sagebrush
I was supposed to write a blog post about vitrification this week; but after writing it, scrapping it, and then re-writing it, several times over—I’ve decided that topic can wait. Vitrifying waste is cool and is an accomplishment worth discussing and celebrating—which is why that will be the next blog post. This week, I want to change course a little bit.

From Reactor to Recluse
The River Corridor, a sprawling 220-square-mile expanse within the US Department of Energy’s Hanford site just north of Richland, rivals the size of Chicago. Today, this majestic river continues to be a lifeline for thousands of residents in cities and towns downstream from Hanford, propelling modern energy, agriculture, transportation, recreation, and commerce.

Summer 2023 Hanford News Recap
Hanford Communities is pleased to share Hanford-related news and updates through the Summer 2023 Newsletter (July – September).

Hanford’s 324 Building: An Overview
The 324 Building, situated within a mile of the Columbia River and less than a mile from Richland city limits, served as a hub of radiological research from 1966 to 1996. However, it was in 1986 that a spill of radioactive material occurred in “B Cell,” one of the building’s fortified chambers designed to shield researchers from radiation hazards.

Applicants Sought to Serve on Hanford Advisory Board
This is a joint announcement from the Washington State Department of Ecology, U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

August 2023 Hanford News Updates
This month, we round up the top stories and headlines from the Hanford Site, with updates at the Vit Plant, 324 Building, K Reactor and more.

Spring 2023 Hanford News Recap
Hanford Communities is pleased to share Hanford-related news and updates through the Spring 2023 Newsletter (April – June).

State of Washington, Federal agencies announce conceptual agreement in Hanford Site Holistic Negotiations
Washington agencies now drafting potential amendments to Tri-Party Agreement, Consent Decree for public comment and submission to Court.

Clean energy, tech innovation remain key for economic diversification
At Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC), we are excited to celebrate 60 years of promoting economic strength and diversity. In addition to regional economic development activities, our core mission includes advocating for the funding and policies needed to support the cleanup of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hanford site.