RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — A commission appointed by President Barack Obama to examine U.S. disposal of radioactive waste is set to tour the nation’s most contaminated nuclear site.
The 15-member Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future includes scientists, industry representatives and former elected officials. Obama called for creation of the commission following his decision not to proceed with the Yucca Mountain waste repository in Nevada.
Waste from south-central Washington’s Hanford nuclear reservation has long been intended for an underground repository, such as Yucca Mountain.
The commission plans to tour Hanford on Wednesday and hear from American Indian tribes and Washington state officials about waste cleanup. Gov. Chris Gregoire will address the group Thursday.
