Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

EPA fines Hanford for improperly handling radioactive waste

Ted S. Warren
/
Associated Press

The U.S. Department of Energy has agreed to pay $136,000 in fines allegedly mishandling certain lab waste at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The penalty comes from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Energy contractors allegedly stored some radioactive waste without permits, and placed some of it in a landfill before treating it. We’re talking about contaminated science glove boxes, lab equipment and concrete. Environmental regulators studied records from the late 1980s through 2011 in this investigation.

The EPA’s Adam Baron says the fine is relatively small, because the Department of Energy has already agreed to fix these specific problems. 

“So every dollar that comes out in penalty payments means some lessened amount of cleanup. And it’s in everybody’s best interest to make sure that that cleanup happens extensively and as quickly as possible,” he said.

Cameron Hardy, a DOE spokesman, says the department is pleased to be moving forward with the cleanup rather than going through an expensive, drawn-out legal battle.

Anna King calls Richland, Washington home and loves unearthing great stories about people in the Northwest. She reports for the Northwest News Network from a studio at Washington State University, Tri-Cities. She covers the Mid-Columbia region, from nuclear reactors to Mexican rodeos.