nuclear-news

Radioactive liquids leaking from Hanford, America’s most contaminated site

Alarm about radioactive leak at most contaminated site in U.S. — “We’ve got a problem, this is big” (VIDEO) http://enenews.com/ap-alarm-about-radioactive-leak-contaminated-site-weve-problem-big
Title: Hanford Nuclear Tank in Wash. Is Leaking Liquids 
Source: Associated Press
Author: By SHANNON DININNY and MIKE BAKER
Date: February 16, 2013

“You couldn’t find a more perfect radioactive storm … I am alarmed about this on many levels. This raises concerns, not only about the existing leak … but also concerning the integrity of the other single shell tanks of this age.” -Gov. Jay Inslee

The long-delayed cleanup of the nation’s most contaminated nuclear site became the subject of more bad news Friday, when Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced that a radioactive waste tank there is leaking.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Energy said liquid levels are decreasing in one of 177 underground tanks at the site.

[…] Inslee said the tank is the first to have been documented to be losing liquids since all Hanford tanks were stabilized in 2005. His staff said the federal government is working to assess other tanks. […]

“We’re out of time, obviously. These tanks are starting to fail now,” said Tom Carpenter of the Hanford watchdog group Hanford Challenge. “We’ve got a problem. This is big.” […]

See also: NPR: Newly leaked report warns plutonium levels at Hanford may be much higher than claimed — “The Columbia River is at stake, all of that area and its vitality” says Washington Governor

February 21, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Resources -audiovicual