USA Today Slams Vit Plant
Hanford Site
An explosive story on the cover of USA Today raises some alarming concerns about the cleanup work at Hanford.
Specifically, the construction of the multi-billion dollar Vitrification Plant -- and potential risks to the enviroment, Hanford workers and the community.
The article on the cover of today's "USA Today" includes interviews with senior engineers at Hanford, citing problems at the Vitrification Plant .
One senior US government scientist calls the vit plant a quote "failed design"
Carrie meyer with the Department of Energy says the plant is a work in progress by some of the smartest and most talented people in their field.
"There's nothing new in this. It's a tough job, it's a challenging job, and we're working through it step by step. But, the waste in those tanks has to come out, it has to be treated. "
Contractor Bechtel National is building the Vit plant -- it's currently priced at 12.3 billion dollars. As early as 2019, it will begin turning highly radioactive waste into a glass-like substance for permanant storage.
USA Today reports that demands to stay on schedule threaten the design, safety and oversight of the project -- the DOE says not so.
"I believe we slow down when we need to, I believe our managers take safety very seriously. And, I live here, my family lives here. There is no way i would do anything to put them in harm's way."
In the most dire scenarios -- the article quotes insiders saying a buildup of hydrogen gas or plutonium while transporting the most dangerous waste could result in a hydrogen explosion or nuclear reaction.
But the Department of Energy says extensive work is being done to ensure that never happens.
"We're not gonna operate this plant. We're not gonna operate this plant unless we're certain we can do it safely."