Wash. to look into Richland radioactive waste plant

RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) – State officials are asking for public input as they prepare to examine the environmental impacts of a company that treats radioactive waste at a Washington decommissioned nuclear production complex.

The Tri-City Herald reports the state plans to meet Wednesday at the Richland Public Library, not far from the PermaFix Northwest facility, to explain the study, called an environmental impact statement.

The Department of Ecology is asking the public to weigh in on what it wants included in the review.

Topics could include waste transported through Washington from other countries for treatment, and a proposal to prepare some Hanford nuclear reservation waste for disposal by mixing it with concrete-like grout rather than turning it into a glass form at Hanford.

It’s also a step toward updating the company’s permit to treat hazardous waste.