H2C - Companion Comment Period for a Dual Path Approach to Accelerate the Hanford Cleanup Mission in Hanford’s 200 East Area
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and contractor Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure are holding a 60-day public comment period and meeting on a proposed Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Class 2 permit modification to the Hanford Dangerous Waste Permit. The requested modification supports DOE’s dual path, glass plus grout strategy — a science backed approach that pairs vitrification and proven grout solutions.
The dual path approach adds grouting capability to the existing vitrification process supported by the Low-Activity Waste Pretreatment System, Operating Unit Group 1, in Hanford’s 200 East Area. This permit modification proposes operational flexibility to transfer tank-side treated low-activity waste from Tank AP-106 to two distinct disposition pathways:
- Vitrification disposition (current path): Transfer directly to Hanford’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Low-Activity Waste melter
- Grout disposition: Ship to a grouting facility
In conjunction with this Class 2 permit modification, DOE and its contractor Bechtel National Inc. are concurrently hosting a companion RCRA Class 3 comment period to support this new configuration.
The comment period runs Aug. 10 through Oct. 9, 2026. A combined hybrid public meeting will be Aug. 26, at 5:30 p.m. PT in the Gallery Room of the Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, Richland, WA 99352. You may participate virtually using Microsoft Teams by following these instructions:
Join on your computer or Teams mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
https://bit.ly/4wFsfGY
Or call in (audio only)
(509) 931-1284 United States
(833) 633-0875 United States (toll-free)
Conference ID: 515 294 054#
Please submit any comments by Oct. 6, electronically (preferred) or by mail to:
Washington State Department of Ecology
3100 Port of Benton Boulevard
Richland, WA 99354
The proposed permit modification and supporting documentation will be available online during the public comment period on the Hanford Administrative Record, and at the Hanford Public Information Repositories.
Additional Information
Questions? Please contact Dana Cowley, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions, at dana_c_gribble@rl.gov, or Daina McFadden, Washington State Department of Ecology, at Hanford@ecy.wa.gov.
Please contact dana_c_gribble@rl.gov at least 10 working days prior to the event if you need special access.
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