KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) — An expansion of a landfill for low-level radioactive waste at the Hanford nuclear reservation has increased capacity by 50 percent.
The Tri-City Herald reports the Energy Department and contractor Washington Closure Hanford said Wednesday the work had been completed ahead of schedule and $16 million under budget at $59 million.
There are two “supercells” each 1,00 feet long, 500 feet wide and 70 feet deep. The Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility now covers the area of 52 football fields.
The expansion adds space for 5.6 million tons of waste, bringing the landfill’s capacity to 16.4 million tons. About 2.3 million tons are expected to go into the landfill this fiscal year.
