DOE Finalizes West Area Tank Waste Determination at Hanford

[Marlin]

DOE Finalizes West Area Tank Waste Determination at Hanford

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOEOEM/bulletins/422b986

[Core Content]

The Department of Energy finalized a Waste Incidental to Reprocessing determination for specific tank waste at Hanford's 200 West Area. This decision allows treated waste from the S, SX, and U Tank Farms to be managed as low-level radioactive waste following solidification. The process follows a technical evaluation and independent review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure safety standards are maintained during disposal.

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2026Media Contacts: Cerise Peck, Hanford Field Office, 509-980-8466, cerise_m_peck@rl.gov

RICHLAND, Wash. – The U.S. Department of Energy has finalized the Waste Incidental to Reprocessing (WIR) determination for selected tank waste in Hanford's 200 West Area, establishing that treated waste from the S, SX and U Tank Farms may be managed as low-level radioactive waste in accordance with DOE requirements.

The determination follows completion of DOE's technical evaluation, an independent review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and consideration of public comments. It concludes that the waste, following separation, pretreatment and solidification, is not high-level radioactive waste and meets DOE criteria for management as low-level radioactive waste.

Read the full article at DOE Office of Environmental Management:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOEOEM/bulletins/422b986