Trump's proposed budget puts quake-warning, tsunami-monitoring systems on chopping block
President Donald Trump is under fire from environmentalists in the Puget Sound over his 2018 budget proposal that would slash $137 million from the U.S. Geological Survey. That would mean cutting funding for the earthquake early warning system, tsunami research and monitoring, and weather forecasting.
President Donald Trump is under fire from environmentalists in the Puget Sound over his 2018 budget proposal that would slash $137 million from the U.S. Geological Survey. That would mean cutting funding for the earthquake early warning system, tsunami research and monitoring, and weather forecasting.
Trump proposes $120M cut to Hanford cleanup budget despite recent incidents
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — President Donald Trump's proposed budget includes a cut of about $120 million for the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, despite two recent incidents that raised concerned about worker safety at the former nuclear weapons production site.Hanford for decades made plutonium for nuclear weapons, and now is engaged in a massive environmental cleanup that costs more than $2 billion per year.Democratic Sen.
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — President Donald Trump's proposed budget includes a cut of about $120 million for the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, despite two recent incidents that raised concerned about worker safety at the former nuclear weapons production site.Hanford for decades made plutonium for nuclear weapons, and now is engaged in a massive environmental cleanup that costs more than $2 billion per year.Democratic Sen.
Crews cover partially-collapsed tunnel at nuclear site
Workers this weekend finished installing a protective cover over a partially-collapsed tunnel that contained radioactive waste on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, the U.S. Department of Energy said Monday.The tunnel that contained highly radioactive wastes left over from production of plutonium for nuclear weapons partially collapsed on May 9, prompting evacuation of nearby workers.The hole left by the partial collapse was filled with more than 50 truckloads of soil the next day.The Energy Department has said no workers were injured and no airborne radiation escaped into the environment as a result of the incident.
Workers this weekend finished installing a protective cover over a partially-collapsed tunnel that contained radioactive waste on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, the U.S. Department of Energy said Monday.The tunnel that contained highly radioactive wastes left over from production of plutonium for nuclear weapons partially collapsed on May 9, prompting evacuation of nearby workers.The hole left by the partial collapse was filled with more than 50 truckloads of soil the next day.The Energy Department has said no workers were injured and no airborne radiation escaped into the environment as a result of the incident.
Energy chief says hole has been filled at Hanford nuclear waste site
SPOKANE, Wash. -- A hole that was discovered this week on top of a nuclear waste storage tunnel has been plugged with dirt, ending an emergency situation at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said Thursday.The hole was discovered Tuesday at the former nuclear weapons production complex, prompting the evacuation of some workers and thousands of others to shelter-in-place for a few hours.Perry announced that the 400-square foot (37 square meters) partial collapse of the tunnel roof had been filled by 53 truckloads of dirt delivered by workers in protective gear at the highly radioactive site."This was accomplished swiftly and safely to help prevent any further complications," Perry said in a press release. "Our next step is to identify and implement longer-term measures to further reduce risks."The Energy Department has said no workers were injured in the incident and no radiation was released to the environment.The state of emergency ended shortly before midnight, and most of the 9,000 workers at the site were told to report to work as usual on Thursday.However, access to the area where the tunnel roof collapsed will continue to be restricted, the agency said.Hanford for decades made plutonium for nuclear weapons and the site in southcentral Washington state is now engaged in cleaning up the nation's largest collection of radioactive waste.
SPOKANE, Wash. -- A hole that was discovered this week on top of a nuclear waste storage tunnel has been plugged with dirt, ending an emergency situation at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said Thursday.The hole was discovered Tuesday at the former nuclear weapons production complex, prompting the evacuation of some workers and thousands of others to shelter-in-place for a few hours.Perry announced that the 400-square foot (37 square meters) partial collapse of the tunnel roof had been filled by 53 truckloads of dirt delivered by workers in protective gear at the highly radioactive site."This was accomplished swiftly and safely to help prevent any further complications," Perry said in a press release. "Our next step is to identify and implement longer-term measures to further reduce risks."The Energy Department has said no workers were injured in the incident and no radiation was released to the environment.The state of emergency ended shortly before midnight, and most of the 9,000 workers at the site were told to report to work as usual on Thursday.However, access to the area where the tunnel roof collapsed will continue to be restricted, the agency said.Hanford for decades made plutonium for nuclear weapons and the site in southcentral Washington state is now engaged in cleaning up the nation's largest collection of radioactive waste.
Tunnel with nuclear waste partially collapses at Hanford nuclear site; no radiation release detected
HANFORD, Wash. -- A portion of an underground tunnel containing eight rail cars full of radioactive waste collapsed Tuesday at a sprawling storage facility in a remote area of Washington state, forcing an evacuation of some workers at the site that made plutonium for nuclear weapons for decades after World War II.Officials detected no release of radiation at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and no workers were injured, said Randy Bradbury, a spokesman for the Washington state Department of Ecology.No workers were inside the tunnel when it collapsed, and other workers who were ordered to shelter-in-place were later sent home early as a precaution, Hanford said. "Workers continue to monitor the area for contamination as a crew prepares to fill the hole with clean soil," Hanford said in a news release.The cause of the collapse was not immediately known.
HANFORD, Wash. -- A portion of an underground tunnel containing eight rail cars full of radioactive waste collapsed Tuesday at a sprawling storage facility in a remote area of Washington state, forcing an evacuation of some workers at the site that made plutonium for nuclear weapons for decades after World War II.Officials detected no release of radiation at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and no workers were injured, said Randy Bradbury, a spokesman for the Washington state Department of Ecology.No workers were inside the tunnel when it collapsed, and other workers who were ordered to shelter-in-place were later sent home early as a precaution, Hanford said. "Workers continue to monitor the area for contamination as a crew prepares to fill the hole with clean soil," Hanford said in a news release.The cause of the collapse was not immediately known.
Tunnel collapse renews safety concerns about Hanford nuclear site
RICHLAND, Wash. -- Thousands of workers at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation were told to stay home Wednesday as efforts began to plug a hole that developed in the partial collapse of a tunnel containing dangerous radioactive waste from the building of nuclear bomb materials.A gravel road was built to the site of the roof collapse, and workers were expected to begin filling the hole with dirt on Wednesday, said Destry Henderson, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Energy."We intend to start filling the hole today," Henderson said Wednesday.Hanford, located in southcentral Washington state, has about 9,000 employees and most of them were told to stay home Wednesday, Henderson said.A 400-square foot (37 square meters) section of the tunnel roof was discovered to have collapsed Tuesday morning, forcing thousands of workers to shelter-in-place for several hours.Officials have detected no release of radiation and no workers were injured in the collapse of the unoccupied tunnel, Henderson said.The rail tunnel was built in 1956 out of timber, concrete and steel, and topped by eight feet of dirt.
RICHLAND, Wash. -- Thousands of workers at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation were told to stay home Wednesday as efforts began to plug a hole that developed in the partial collapse of a tunnel containing dangerous radioactive waste from the building of nuclear bomb materials.A gravel road was built to the site of the roof collapse, and workers were expected to begin filling the hole with dirt on Wednesday, said Destry Henderson, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Energy."We intend to start filling the hole today," Henderson said Wednesday.Hanford, located in southcentral Washington state, has about 9,000 employees and most of them were told to stay home Wednesday, Henderson said.A 400-square foot (37 square meters) section of the tunnel roof was discovered to have collapsed Tuesday morning, forcing thousands of workers to shelter-in-place for several hours.Officials have detected no release of radiation and no workers were injured in the collapse of the unoccupied tunnel, Henderson said.The rail tunnel was built in 1956 out of timber, concrete and steel, and topped by eight feet of dirt.
What is Hanford? Most contaminated site in Western Hemisphere
What is it?Hanford for decades made plutonium for nuclear weapons and is now the largest depository of radioactive defense waste that must be cleaned.It contains about 56 million gallons of radioactive waste, most of it in 177 underground tanks.Hanford has more than 9,000 employees.Where is it?Hanford is located near Richland, about 200 miles southeast of Seattle.The site -- about half the size of Rhode Island, in an area centered roughly 75 miles east of Yakima -- continued to buzz during the Cold War, with more plutonium production, as well as the construction of several nuclear reactors.
What is it?Hanford for decades made plutonium for nuclear weapons and is now the largest depository of radioactive defense waste that must be cleaned.It contains about 56 million gallons of radioactive waste, most of it in 177 underground tanks.Hanford has more than 9,000 employees.Where is it?Hanford is located near Richland, about 200 miles southeast of Seattle.The site -- about half the size of Rhode Island, in an area centered roughly 75 miles east of Yakima -- continued to buzz during the Cold War, with more plutonium production, as well as the construction of several nuclear reactors.
New population of invasive green crabs found in Washington
More invasive green crabs have been found in Washington state's inland waters, this time at Dungeness Spit near Sequim.
More invasive green crabs have been found in Washington state's inland waters, this time at Dungeness Spit near Sequim.
Trump calls national monuments a 'massive federal land grab'
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday directing his interior secretary to review the designation of dozens of national monuments on federal lands, as he singled out "a massive federal land grab" by the Obama administration.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday directing his interior secretary to review the designation of dozens of national monuments on federal lands, as he singled out "a massive federal land grab" by the Obama administration.
UW professor leads study tracking climate change rerouting river's course
SEATTLE -- A study published Monday by University of Washington - Tacoma professor Dan Shugar focuses on what seems to be the first modern case of river piracy.
SEATTLE -- A study published Monday by University of Washington - Tacoma professor Dan Shugar focuses on what seems to be the first modern case of river piracy.
Seattle plant is still dumping partially treated wastewater into Puget Sound
Millions of gallons of raw sewage and untreated runoff have poured into the United States' second-largest estuary since a massive sewage treatment plant experienced equipment failures that forced it to stop fully treating Seattle's waste.
Millions of gallons of raw sewage and untreated runoff have poured into the United States' second-largest estuary since a massive sewage treatment plant experienced equipment failures that forced it to stop fully treating Seattle's waste.
Environmentalists warn about Trump Puget Sound budget
State officials, environmental advocates and others are warning of dire environmental and economic consequences if President Donald Trump's cuts to Puget Sound and other environmental programs go through as proposed.
State officials, environmental advocates and others are warning of dire environmental and economic consequences if President Donald Trump's cuts to Puget Sound and other environmental programs go through as proposed.
Up to 300 jobs at Hanford Nuclear Reservation to be cut
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — Contractors at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington state say they're preparing to slash up to 300 jobs by this fall.The Tri-City Herald reports (https://goo.gl/xkHvCa ) that CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Co., told employees Wednesday that 250 jobs would be cut as some major work is completed.Mission Support Alliance, which provides support services at Hanford, is considering cutting as many as 50 jobs.CH2M currently employs over 1,700 people, and Mission Support Alliance employs about 1,900.Volunteers for layoffs and severance pay are being sought, but CH2M also expects to have involuntary layoffs.The job reductions are related to progress on two key Hanford projects, demolition of the massive, contaminated Plutonium Finishing Plant and cleanup of the 618-10 Burial Ground.The finishing plant for decades made hockey puck-sized tablets of plutonium for the nation's nuclear arsenal.
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — Contractors at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington state say they're preparing to slash up to 300 jobs by this fall.The Tri-City Herald reports (https://goo.gl/xkHvCa ) that CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Co., told employees Wednesday that 250 jobs would be cut as some major work is completed.Mission Support Alliance, which provides support services at Hanford, is considering cutting as many as 50 jobs.CH2M currently employs over 1,700 people, and Mission Support Alliance employs about 1,900.Volunteers for layoffs and severance pay are being sought, but CH2M also expects to have involuntary layoffs.The job reductions are related to progress on two key Hanford projects, demolition of the massive, contaminated Plutonium Finishing Plant and cleanup of the 618-10 Burial Ground.The finishing plant for decades made hockey puck-sized tablets of plutonium for the nation's nuclear arsenal.
Flooded wastewater plant relying on sewage-eating bugs
Managers at a flooded wastewater-treatment plant in Seattle that is dumping raw sewage into Puget Sound are counting on bugs to get the plant back up and running normally.
Managers at a flooded wastewater-treatment plant in Seattle that is dumping raw sewage into Puget Sound are counting on bugs to get the plant back up and running normally.
Heavy rains spark rare 'super bloom' of wildflowers in California
After a brief period of drought-busting rain in January, Southern California is experiencing an early wildflower season that has enthusiasts very excited.
After a brief period of drought-busting rain in January, Southern California is experiencing an early wildflower season that has enthusiasts very excited.
Hanford ill worker compensation bill passes House
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — Legislation that could allow ill Hanford workers to more easily get worker compensation claims approved has been passed by the state House.Substitute House Bill 1723, which still must be considered by the Senate, is modeled after similar protections given to firefighters in Washington who develop serious illnesses.
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — Legislation that could allow ill Hanford workers to more easily get worker compensation claims approved has been passed by the state House.Substitute House Bill 1723, which still must be considered by the Senate, is modeled after similar protections given to firefighters in Washington who develop serious illnesses.
Climate, other programs get deep cuts in EPA budget proposal
The Trump administration would slash programs aimed at slowing climate change and improving water safety and air quality, while eliminating thousands of jobs, according to a draft of the Environmental Protection Agency budget proposal obtained by The Associated Press.
The Trump administration would slash programs aimed at slowing climate change and improving water safety and air quality, while eliminating thousands of jobs, according to a draft of the Environmental Protection Agency budget proposal obtained by The Associated Press.
Efforts expand to stop uranium from entering Columbia River
RICHLAND, Wash. -- Efforts to prevent uranium from leaching into the Columbia River along the Hanford Nuclear Reservation are being expanded after a test showed good results.Wells are being drilled to inject a solution into the ground to bind the uranium to the soil and prevent it from migrating into the groundwater and then into the river.The Tri-City Herald says much of the soil contaminated with uranium at the Hanford 300 Area has been dug up down to 15 feet, removing the majority of the contamination.The uranium is left over from decades of work making plutonium for nuclear weapons during World War II and the Cold War.
RICHLAND, Wash. -- Efforts to prevent uranium from leaching into the Columbia River along the Hanford Nuclear Reservation are being expanded after a test showed good results.Wells are being drilled to inject a solution into the ground to bind the uranium to the soil and prevent it from migrating into the groundwater and then into the river.The Tri-City Herald says much of the soil contaminated with uranium at the Hanford 300 Area has been dug up down to 15 feet, removing the majority of the contamination.The uranium is left over from decades of work making plutonium for nuclear weapons during World War II and the Cold War.
Should feds restore grizzly bear population to North Cascades?
Federal officials want residents to weigh in on their proposals to restore the population of grizzly bears to the rugged landscape of the North Cascades in Washington state.
Federal officials want residents to weigh in on their proposals to restore the population of grizzly bears to the rugged landscape of the North Cascades in Washington state.
Hanford pumps out contents of leaking nuclear waste tank
RICHLAND, Wash. -- A leaking radioactive waste storage tank on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation has been pumped of its contents.The Department of Energy says Tank AY-102 was pumped ``to the limits'' of current technologies.The wastes are left over from the production of plutonium for nuclear weapons.Tank AY-102 was taken out of service in 2012 after it was discovered that nuclear waste from the inner tank had leaked into the space between the inner and outer walls of the double-shelled tank.
RICHLAND, Wash. -- A leaking radioactive waste storage tank on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation has been pumped of its contents.The Department of Energy says Tank AY-102 was pumped ``to the limits'' of current technologies.The wastes are left over from the production of plutonium for nuclear weapons.Tank AY-102 was taken out of service in 2012 after it was discovered that nuclear waste from the inner tank had leaked into the space between the inner and outer walls of the double-shelled tank.