KNDU - Inside Hanford

Population soars near nuclear reactors

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:33:00 EDT

Nuclear energy has been in the news lately, and unfortunately it hasn't been good news, until now.

Track U.S. radiation levels in real time

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 01:12:00 EDT

Here is a website that allows you to track radiation levels in the United States. Radiationnetworkd.com is updated in real time every minute. This is the first web site where the average citizen can see what radiation levels are anywhere in the USA at any time.

PNNL developed ultra-sensitive nuclear monitoring devices

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:38:00 EDT

RICHLAND, Wash. -- For several decades, PNNL has been conducting research and development on methods to detect very low levels of nuclear releases.

Power plant prepared for quake?

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:24:00 EDT

NEAR RICHLAND, Wash.—With the concern of nuclear reactors and natural devastation spreading throughout the country, KNDU researched if the only nuclear power plant in the northwest is prepared.

High-hazard waste silo cleanup begins at Hanford's K Area

Wed, 9 Feb 2011 23:24:00 EST

RICHLAND, Wash.-The Department of Energy's River Corridor contractor, Washington Closure Hanford, has begun cleanup of highly radioactive underground silos at Hanford's 118-K-1 Burial Ground.

Frequently asked questions about Nuclear Radiation

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:03:00 EDT

Nuclear Power & Radiation Q&A: What is radiation? Radiation is energy that travels in the form of waves or high-speed particles. It occurs naturally in sunlight and sound waves. Man-made radiation is

One more tank down, 140 to go

Tracci Dial — Thu, 6 Sep 2012 20:38:00 EDT

The cleanup of Hanford will go on for years but Thursday workers completed another step forward. Washington River Protection Solutions said crews removed all the radioactive and chemical waste in a ninth single shell tank in the C-Farm.

Pledge walk for ABC homes in Richland

Kevin Shaub — Tue, 4 Sep 2012 21:27:00 EDT

Here's your chance to learn about Hanford's past and support the future.

70 years later, Hanford no longer a mystery

Tracci Dial — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:55:00 EDT

This week marks the 70th anniversary of the Manhattan Project and what a difference seven decades can make.

From top secret to a top tourist site, Hanford has made some serious strides over the year.

Chu says Hanford safety is job one

Kevin Shaub — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:22:00 EDT

The Secretary of Energy says Hanford clean up must be completed, but Steven Chu says not at the expense of worker safety.

DOE lowers age limit for B Reactor Tours

Kevin Shaub — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:09:00 EDT

Hanford's B Reactor isn't just for grown-ups anymore. The Department of Energy has lowered the age limit for tours of the national historic landmark.

DOE Releases Latest "Hanford Story" Video

Thu, 8 Mar 2012 18:59:00 EST

The Department of Energy's latest installment in their "Hanford Story" video series is now online.

DOE Holds Open House on Proposed Natural Gas Pipeline

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:02:00 EST

Pasco, Wash. - The Department of Energy is looking for public comment about their proposed plans to build a natural gas pipeline out to the Waste Treatment Plant on the Hanford site. The 30-mile pipeline

Remaining Hanford cleanup to cost $112 billion

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 14:19:00 EST

The remaining cleanup work at the Hanford nuclear reservation is projected to cost $112 billion.

N Reactor guard tower demolished

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:42:00 EST

NEAR RICHLAND, Wash.—An iconic symbol of the Cold War is now in bits and pieces.

What will be discussed at Vit Plant & DOE open house?

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:41:00 EST

RICHLAND, Wash.—The Waste Treatment Plant and the Department of Energy are hosting a public open house next week.

Whistleblower takes DOE to federal court

Wed, 9 Nov 2011 20:48:00 EST

A whistleblower already in litigation with Bechtel is now taking the Department of Energy to federal court.

WSU breaks ground on new engineering lab

Kevin Shaub — Tue, 4 Oct 2011 15:04:00 EDT

Work has begun on a new engineering laboratory at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

Groundbreaking weeks away for Hanford Reach Center

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:46:00 EDT

After eight years, the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center is only weeks away from actual construction.

CH2M Hill to pay $1.5M in settlement with US

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:06:00 EDT

A subsidiary of CH2M Hill Companies Ltd. has agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims and paid kickbacks relating to a federal contract to manage mixed radioactive waste at the Hanford nuclear site in south-central Washington state.

B - Reactor one step closer to being tourist attraction

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:38:00 EDT

The B- reactor on the Hanford site is a step closer to becoming a tourist attraction.

Layoffs for Hanford employees; CH2MHill holds job fair

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 22:04:00 EDT

Hanford employees brace themselves for another round of layoffs.

Big crowd expected at Hanford Job Fair

Kevin Shaub — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:57:00 EDT

WorkSource Columbia Basin says more than 1,000 soon-to-be former Hanford workers could show up at Friday's job fair.

Digging of hazardous Hanford site has begun

Lisa Loevsky — Wed, 3 Aug 2011 21:28:00 EDT

RICHLAND, WASH. - After two years of preparation and characterization, the Department of Energy's (DOE) River Corridor contractor, Washington Closure Hanford, has begun remediation of one of the most hazardous burial grounds tackled to date on the Hanford Site's River Corridor.

Richland CREHST Museum awarded grant

Kevin Shaub — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:33:00 EDT

The Washington Department of Ecology has given Richland's CREHST Museum a $62,000 grant to launch a public education campaign called "Don't Pour That on the Ground."

Interpretive Center closer to construction

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:14:00 EDT

RICHLAND, Wash. - After eight years, the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center is another step closer to construction. Wednesday afternoon leaders from the City of Richland, the Richland Public Facilities

Hanford's B Reactor may get National Historic Park designation

Aaron Hilf — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:55:00 EDT

The National Park Service and Secretary of Interior recommended Hanford's B Reactor be turned into a National Historic Park Wednesday.

Hanford Reach Interpretive Center gets new home

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 02:33:00 EDT

RICHLAND, Wash. - After nine years of planning the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center will call Columbia Park West it's home.

The future of the Hanford site

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:16:00 EDT

Hanford's past is full of history. Now, members of the Tri-Cities with economic and political backgrounds are exploring plans for its future.

Hanford Railcars Make Final Stop

Tue, 10 May 2011 21:34:00 EDT

Two historic engines and railcars will soon find a new home at the B Reactor site.

Former Hanford workers attend resource fair in Pasco

Thu, 5 May 2011 01:01:00 EDT

PASCO, Wash. -- The Cold War Patriots held a resource fair for former Hanford Workers at the TRAC in Pasco.

Hanford's "N" reactor being cocooned

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:05:00 EDT

Overlooking the Columbia River, workers are cleaning up contaminated land in an effort to protect it, and the environment.

Corps of Engineers approves Hanford Reach Interpretive Center

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:31:00 EDT

RICHLAND, Wash. - The Hanford Reach Interpretive Center is getting closer to finding a new location.

Dates released for Hanford Site and B-Reactor Tours

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:26:00 EST

Tours are scheduled from April through September.

Hanford crews get trained on new robotic arm

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 01:10:00 EST

RICHLAND, Wash. - In Hanford news, site workers are being trained on a new tool to transfer radioactive waste from an older single shell tank to a safer double-shell tank.

Scientists check ground for future Hanford Reach Interpretive Center

Tue, 1 Feb 2011 00:46:00 EST

A team of archeologists, geologists and engineers says the future sight for the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center is OK to build on.

Hanford Reach offices near proposed land

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:39:00 EST

RICHLAND, Wash.-Tuesday organizers of the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center had a grand opening for their new offices in Richland.

1,600 Hanford workers to be laid off

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 01:07:00 EST

RICHLAND, Wash.-The Department of Energy has announced 1,600 layoffs at Hanford as stimulus money runs out later this year.

New Hanford documentary screens this week

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:22:00 EST

Hanford's historical B Reactor plays a starring role in a new documentary.

Hanford workers cut hole in radioactive waste tank

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:06:00 EST

Over the weekend, a 55-inch diameter hole was cut into an active waste storage tank to allow MARS into the C-107 single-shell tank.

Hanford Project Reduces Cleanup Footprint

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:08:00 EST

This cleanup work helps preserve the Hanford Reach.

Hanford workers preparing to use MARS

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:49:00 EST

NEAR RICHLAND, Wash.-- Hanford workers are preparing to use the first Mobile Arm Retrieval System, also known as MARS, to retrieve and transfer waste from holding tanks.

125 ton Melter on its way to Richland

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 00:48:00 EDT

If you traveled up highway 395 from Oregon today, you may have noticed a large truck carrying an enormous metal box.

How big is the Vit Plant?

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:52:00 EDT

Workers at Hanford's Vit Plant are building the largest radioactive waste treatment plant for the Department of Energy. Construction started in 2001, and nine years later they are still building.

"MARS" prototype introduced for cleaning Hanford waste tanks

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 20:58:00 EDT

A new way to clean leaking radioactive waste tanks at Hanford was introduced today

Feds Add $2 Billion To Hanford Cleanup Work

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 16:51:00 EDT

Federal contractors that were fined for environmental and safety violations at Hanford will receive much of the $2 billion in...

30 to 50 People a Week Hiring on at Vit Plant

Fri, 8 Feb 2008 11:47:00 EST

As the temperatures heat up, so does work at the Vit Plant.

Bechtel is continuing to hire workers as construction gets more active.

Vit Plant Could Start Up by 2013

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:22:00 EST

A new Department of Energy study reveals Hanford's Waste Treatment Plant may be operational years earlier than previously thought, but at an added cost.

DOE says if they can build a second pre-treatment facility, that should allow them to get the low-activity waste plant up and running, and some waste treated before the heart of the plant is complete.

Full Vit Plant Construction Could Restart Before Previously Thought

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:22:00 EST

Department of Energy leaders now say they may be able to restart full construction on Hanford's Waste Treatment Plant before the previously declared October 1, 2007 date.

John Eschenberg, who manages the project for DOE, says if all goes well, they could start early.

Sand Mantis Unveiled

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:40:00 EDT

CH2M Hill has developed the Sand Mantis, a new tool that takes rock salt type waste, and turns it into a fine, powdery waste.

It's controlled with a Playstation 2 controller, allowing CH2M Hill to remotely clean the waste out of Hanford's tanks.

Fluor Hanford Receives Safety Award

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:39:00 EDT

Fluor Hanford workers at the Effluent Treatment Facility are being recognized for their safety record.

After eleven years in operation, the facility is now one of only 26 Department of Energy "Star Status" projects in the country.

Senate Race Heats Up Over Hanford

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:38:00 EDT

The Washington Senate race is heating up.

The Hanford watchdog group Heart of America Northwest criticizes Republican challenger Mike McGavick over his stance on Hanford cleanup.

Hanford Funding on the Senate Floor

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:34:00 EDT

Washington Senator Patty Murray was in front of the U.S. Senate Thursday fighting for continued federal cleanup dollars for the Hanford site.

If the funding isn't passed tomorrow, it'll be delayed until the senate reconvenes a month from now.

Bill in Olympia Being Called "I-297 Revisited"

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:33:00 EDT

A bill in the state legislature that would stop nuclear waste shipments into Washington is losing support in Olympia.

A House committee heard the bill Tuesday, but the State Senate canceled their meetings on it.

President Bush Issues 2008 Hanford Budget Proposal

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:32:00 EDT

President Bush has proposed a $1.84 billion budget for Hanford cleanup in 2008.

That's more than in previous years, but it's getting a mixed reaction.

World Relief Tri-Cities: Saving Lives and Raising Funds to Help Assist Local Refugees

Rachel Hoops — Sat, 18 May 2013 02:37:00 EDT

People from all walks of life joined together Friday night at Kennewick First Presbyterian Church for the 3rd Annual Refugee Benefit Concert and Cultural Celebration to help raise housing funds for refugees.

90 Potential Candidates File for Local Office in Benton County

Rachel Hoops — Sat, 18 May 2013 02:22:00 EDT

Candidate filing week is over, and it was a busy one for the Benton County Auditor's Office.

2nd Harvest Receives $135,000 After Family Food Drive

Breanna Gilroy — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:37:00 EDT

Our feeding families food drive ended in a big way.

More Hispanic Students Enrolling In College

Sat, 18 May 2013 01:16:00 EDT

RICHLAND, Wash. - College enrollment is steadily increasing and for Hispanic high school graduates, more of them are giving college a shot.

How Proposed Recreational Marijuana Regulations Affect The Tri-Cities

Don Granese — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:58:00 EDT

KENNEWICK, Wash.- The state Liquor Control Board released their first draft of regulations for selling recreational marijuana, so we decided to take a closer look at some of the more interesting proposed rules.

Biggest Loser Finalist to Run in Sage Rat Run in Prosser

Tracci Dial — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:39:00 EDT

A reality TV star is in town this weekend to cheer on and support runners in the Sage Rat River Run in Prosser Saturday.

Richland Music Students Get Graded By Royal Conservatory

Don Granese — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:29:00 EDT

RICHLAND, Wash.- Music is something that almost anyone can enjoy. Some Tri-City students enjoy it so much that they want to be graded on it by the pros.

Camp Patriot Donation Jar Stolen from Kennewick Ranch and Home

Tracci Dial — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:24:00 EDT

Someone stole the tip jar from the Kennewick Ranch and Home coffee shop inside the store.

Pasco Elementary Students Go Back in Time for the Day

Tracci Dial — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:00:00 EDT

Mark Twain Elementary School hosted its 19th Annual Frontier Days on Friday.

Brush Fire Sparks Near Richland Landfill

Zac Summers — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:55:00 EDT

RICHLAND, Wash. - Firefighters say it's unclear what started a brush fire near the Richland Landfill Friday morning.