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For Immediate Release:
July 31, 2026

Media Contacts:
Cerise Peck, Hanford Field Office, 509-980-8466, cerise_m_peck@rl.gov 

DOE Finalizes West Area Tank Waste Determination at Hanford

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.

Finalizing the determination supports continued progress in Hanford’s tank waste mission. It provides a clear path for the safe management of treated waste while maintaining rigorous standards for protecting workers, the public and the environment.

The final WIR Evaluation, determination and supporting documents are available on the Hanford website.

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