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U.S. officials slam Washington state nuke waste site problems Posted Apr 25, 2018 at 9:29 AM Updated Apr 25, 2018 at 1:08 PM In this May 9, 2017, file photo, signs are posted near the entrance to the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Richland, Wash. Federal investigators say problems first identified six years ago continue to plague the multi-billion-dollar Hanford vitrification plant that would be used to treat some of the nation’s deadliest nuclear waste. (AP Photo/Manuel Valdes, file) ▲ In this May 9, 2017, file photo, signs are posted near the entrance to the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Richland, Wash. Federal investigators say problems first identified six years ago continue to plague the multi-billion-dollar Hanford vitrification plant that would be used to treat some of the nation’s deadliest nuclear waste. (AP Photo/Manuel Valdes, file) ▲ --> ▲ ▲ --> RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — Problems first identified six years ago at a Washington state plant where deadly nuclear waste is supposed to be treated in the future continue to plague the multi-billion dollar facility, U.S. investigators have said. The Tri-City Herald reports that the Government Accountability Office said in a report released Tuesday that the site's contractor, Bechtel National, has not fully completed planned actions. And the corrections that have been made have not prevented continuing quality assurance problems. The report also criticized the Department of Energy for its oversight of the project. The $17 billion plant has been under construction since 2002 to turn up to 56 million gallons (212 million liters) of radioactive waste into a glass form that would be buried at another site. The waste is a leftover from the past production of plutonium for the nation's nuclear weapons program. The sprawling Hanford site contains in eastern Washington state is temporarily storing the radioactive and toxic wastes in underground tanks. It's owned by the Energy Department, which hires private contractors to manage the cleanup work. Hanford was established during World War II and made the plutonium for the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. The 560-square mile (1,540-square kilometers) site also made most of the plutonium for the nation's nuclear arsenal during the Cold War. The accountability office recommended ordering Bechtel to find out the full extent of problems at the vitrification plant that would turn the waste into molten glass. The office's report also said Energy Department employees are under pressure to get part of the plant up and running and that two quality assurance experts said department managers and Bechtel prioritize cost and sticking to schedules more than identifying potential problems. The investigators said Energy Department officials should halt work in areas in construction quality problems are recurring. In a written response to the report, Energy Department Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management Anne White said plant working conditions meet all established requirements. Bechtel did not comment, referring the Energy Department's response to the report. Most Popular Medford gun supporters prepare for ballot showdown Apr 21 at 5:04 PM Police: Cat killed during fight between couple Apr 19 at 6:36 PM A long view of home Apr 19 at 6:56 PM Letters to the Editor, April 21 Apr 23 at 7:31 AM Nathan "Nate" Allen Joling Apr 25 at 8:51 AM Woman charged in $7,000 Victoria's Secret underwear theft Apr 20 at 4:58 PM Man sentenced for raping, assaulting wife Apr 20 at 7:14 AM Roller Derby benefits kids battling cancer Apr 20 at 5:32 PM Driver who struck bulls must pay $23,268 Apr 24 at 7:16 AM Data breach or 'bogeyman'? Apr 23 at 7:32 AM Motorcyclist killed in east Medford crash Apr 23 at 9:02 AM Community Builder: A cheerleader for Southern Oregon Apr 22 at 2:01 AM © Copyright 2006-2018 Rosebud Media LLC. All rights reserved. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com ~ P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501