High-Level Nuclear Waste Tank B-109 was clearly leaking in March 2019. But USDOE did not report the leak until April 2021.

Federal and state hazardous waste laws require leaking tanks to have liquids removed immediately or as soon as possible. 

But on August 25, 2022, USDOE and Washington Ecology announced an agreement that will let Tank B109 keep leaking for decades without any action required to remove the leakable liquids. 

As KING5 reported: 

"Hanford nuclear site: State, feds agree to allow tanks to continue leaking

"State and federal law says if a tank is leaking nuclear waste, it must be pumped immediately, but a new plan doesn't include a timeline to empty two leaking tanks."

​​Heart of America Northwest has filed a legal appeal challenging this agreement to do nothing. ​

Heart of America Northwest

Gerry Pollet, JD

save

the Columbia River

RaDioactive Contamination:

Your voice makes all the difference! Over 80% of the people who come to hearings or send in comments on Hanford -- from Seattle and Portland to Spokane and Hood River to Walla Walla -- come because of the info they receive in our acclaimed Citizens' Guides, emails, FB posts, workshops, and 2x/year update phone calls.

High-Level Nuclear Waste Leaks

underground explosions

Don't let an explosion of an unlined radioactive waste landfill result from proposed delays for Hanford Clean-Up or inaction at the commercial rad waste landfill at Hanford (US Ecology)

A video was released by the State of Nevada of an underground explosion at a Nevada radioactive waste site operated by the same company that operates Hanford's Central Plateau area. It is unknown what was buried in the trench that experienced the explosion, or what chemicals may have been released into the air. If the waste in Hanford's own unlined radioactive waste trenches continues to be uncharacterized and untreated Washington could see similar incidents in the future.

• Las Vegas Action News story
  
• Las Vegas Review Journal coverage
  

Heart of America Northwest's research has documented how deadly contamination leaking from High-Level Nuclear Waste tanks has spread far more rapidly towards the Columbia River than USDOE (the federal Energy Dept.) claimed was possible. Contamination seeps into the River every day at over 1,000 x Drinking Water Standards

Join Us

Take a tour of Hanford's risks with our presentations

HOA presentation on USDOE plans to rename and abandon High Level Nuclear Wastes (2018)

Risks and Cleanup of Hanford's Central Plateau 
​Hanford Earthquake Risks​ - serious consequences for region
PUREX Tunnel Collapse - KING TV Investigative Report (more on Resource page)

Washington State, usdoe  enter agreement to let High-Level Nuclear Waste tanks leak for decades to come

Mark Morris, our Outreach and Education Director, has years of experience and designs our communication tools.

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Seattle's Magnuson Park:

For over 3 years, the Navy and Seattle Parks  covered up high levels of radioactive contamination in public areas of the park. Heart of America NW and our Director, State Rep. Gerry Pollet blew the whistle on radiation in soil & storm water pipes draining to the Lake. Click here for update on the Navy's refusal to cleanup to WA State cancer risk

levels standards. 

​Board Chair:

Amber Waldref: Amber recently retired from serving on the Spokane City Council. Amber has been deeply involved in Hanford cleanup for two decades. 

USDOE's efforts to rename and abandon High-level nuclear wastes:

The public's voice for Hanford cleanup, clean energy, and nuclear safety across the Northwest

As you read this, radioactive and chemical contamination seeps into the Columbia River. Contamination levels in groundwater along the River are as high as 1,750 times Drinking Water Standards. We're leading the efforts to require USDOE to cleanup contamination along the River shorelines so they are safe for public and tribal use. 

Meet Your Hanford Cleanup Advocacy Team:.

USDOE has issued two proposals to rename High Level Nuclear Waste, both would result in untreated waste remaining forever in leaky tanks and the soil around the tanks. First, USDOE proposed "reclassifying" High Level Waste remaining in Hanford's C Farm tanks. Then, USDOE proposed a nationwide redefinition of High Level Nuclear Wastes, which would allow USDOE to leave waste in all tanks and soil without treatment. HoA Presentation; our Jan 2019 comments; our summary of NRC's review