Leaky Hanford Tanks Subject of Special Washington State Senate Committee Hearing Thursday

For years it's been known that a number of the hazardous waste storage tanks at Hanford have been leaking, but awareness has been heightened after the U.S. Dept. of Energy confirmed six tanks are leaking several hundred gallons a year.

Since taking office, Governor Jay Inslee had already been paying close attention to Hanford and has called for intensified effort on the cleanup. The Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee hearing will be held at 8 a.m. in Olympia. It will be broadcast live online at www.tvw.org.

Senator Sharon Brown (R) of Kennewick serves the 8th legislative District that includes the Hanford site and said:

These tanks were never intended to be in use for this long and it’s not a secret that the tanks are leaking. However, given the gravity of the situation and the enormity of the issues involved, it is exceedingly important that we continue the discussion with the state Department of Ecology to ascertain the most effective and efficient method of cleanup."

Department of Ecology officials and an expert from Bechtel National will also be a part of the hearing.