Leader for massive vitrification plant at Hanford dies after brief illness

KENNEWICK — The Bechtel National project director for Hanford’s massive vitrification plant died Sunday after a short illness, Bechtel announced on Monday.

Valerie McCain had led work to build and prepare the plant to begin treating radioactive waste since late 2018. She also was a Bechtel senior vice president since 2020.

“She was highly respected, exemplified our One Hanford spirit and consistently inspired all who were lucky enough to serve with her,” said Brian Vance, the Department of Energy manager for the Hanford nuclear reservation site in Eastern Washington.

She led a team of 2,250 employees in completing construction on parts of the plant needed to treat low activity waste and at the time of her death was leading work to start treating radioactive waste at the plant where construction began in 2002.

Just a week ago the Department of Energy gave Bechtel its highest-ever rating for its performance at the vit plant.

McCain congratulated staff then, saying she was proud of their “refusal to be deterred when we encounter technical challenges and for your ability to work together productively at all levels both internally and with our customer.”

Those who met her knew instantly that she genuinely cared about people, Bechtel said in a statement Monday evening.