RICHLAND, Wash. - A group of Washington state senators and representatives toured the Hanford Site this month as part of a program to increase awareness about cleanup work among state lawmakers.
A number of legislators had indicated a desire to see the site following meetings with Hanford officials during the 2018 legislative session.
“I had never been to Hanford before, and I didn’t know what to expect," State Sen. Judy Warnick said. “I learned that there is much work left to do with cleanup, but I was pleased to see all of the emphasis placed on worker safety to ensure that the work will be done right."
It also was State Rep. Tom Dent’s first trip to the site. He grew up across the Columbia River from Hanford in Adams County, but said he was surprised by how enormous the site is when seen in person. He also talked about the innovations and technologies being implemented to clean up Hanford.
“It’s amazing what they’re doing," Dent said. “I was asking myself, ‘Who laid awake at night to come up with these concepts?’ It’s quite a process."
The site tour for elected state lawmakers and staff members is expected to become an annual event.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
