Development of a risk-based approach to Hanford site cleanup

Abstract

In response to a request from Thomas Grumbly, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management, the Hanford Site contractors developed a set of risk-based cleanup strategies that (a) protect the public, workers, and environment from unacceptable risks; (b) are executable technically; and (c) fit within the currently expected annual funding profile. These strategies were developed because (1) the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Hanford site budgets are being reduced (2) stakeholders are dissatisfied with the perceived rate of cleanup (3) the U.S. Congress and the DOE are increasingly focusing on risk and risk-reduction activities (4) the present strategy is not integrated across the site and is inconsistent in its treatment of similar hazards (5) the present cleanup strategy is not cost-effective from a risk-reduction or future land-use perspective (6) the milestones and activities in the Tri-Party Agreement cannot be achieved with an anticipated funding of $1.05 billion, or less, annually.