Report to Congress Treatment & Immobilization of Hanford Radioactive Tank Waste

7.0 Conclusions

The Hanford tank wastes present a serious safety concern to the environment, and proceeding toward treatment and immobilization of the wastes is the preferred course of action for the TWRS program. Further delays in initiating tank waste processing could lead to additional tank leaks and the potential for contamination of the Columbia River.

DOE has developed a prudent approach for moving toward tank waste processing. That approach not only serves the needs of the TWRS program, but also the taxpayer, the public, and the environment. DOE is now looking to Congress to acknowledge the crucial nature of this cleanup work and provide funding for DOE to carry out this strategy.

Proceed to next section