Hanford Nuclear Site Set to Turn Radioactive Waste into Glass Following Final Permit Approval

After decades of planning and billions in investment, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in southeastern Washington is set to begin turning liquid nuclear and chemical waste into glass, a safer and more stable form for storage. State regulators issued the final permit to allow workers to remove waste from leaky underground tanks, mix it with additives, heat it above 2,000°F (1,000°C), and solidify it in stainless steel vats. Hanford, once a central plutonium production site for the U.S. nuclear arsenal, contains 177 aging underground tanks holding 56 million gallons of highly radioactive waste, some of which have leaked. Vitrification, recognized since the 1980s, reduces the risk of contamination but is costly, with more than $30 billion spent on treatment plants. The Energy Department aims to begin operations by October 15, 2025, despite past administrative concerns. Cleanup continues to be a top priority, with a $3 billion annual budget and oversight from federal and state regulators.

06-10-2025