AP source: Wash. to sue feds over Hanford

[TechBear_Seattle]

Source: Seattle Times via the Associated Press

YAKIMA — Washington state plans to sue the federal government after failing to reach a new cleanup agreement at the Hanford nuclear reservation.

The U.S. Department of Energy, which manages Hanford cleanup, and state officials entered negotiations in May 2007 over missed cleanup deadlines at the highly contaminated site.

The two sides have failed to reach an agreement, and the state notified Energy Department officials Monday night that it would file suit, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations.

Gov. Christine Gregoire is scheduled to make an announcement about Hanford today.

Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008433904_webhanfordsuit25m.html

[Nambe]

1. The people of the NW asked for this 25 years ago.

It would have been easy and cheap then.
http://www.hanfordwatch.org/

[Anarpeace]

2. Wash. sues feds over Hanford nuclear site cleanup

Source: AP

RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — Washington state is suing the federal government to seek a faster cleanup of the Hanford nuclear reservation, after nearly 18 months of negotiations failed to produce an agreement.

"In Washington state, we have been patient. In Washington state, we have been reasonable. And today, our patience has simply run out," Gov. Chris Gregoire said Tuesday. "They were steadfast on putting us in a legal position that is not good for the people of this community."

The federal government created Hanford in the 1940s as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project to build the atomic bomb. Today, it is the nation's most contaminated nuclear site, with cleanup costs expected to top $60 billion.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jMYZyQYiYUP73Q4-rVGpO2ysas5wD94M9D900