Oregon and Washington’s governors have sent a joint letter to President Trump, calling for more funds to be approved for cleaning up the Hanford site.
The president’s budget outlined in March did contain an increase in energy department funds for cleanup of U.S. nuclear waste sites. But Governors Kate Brown and Jay Inslee want more resources for the Office of River Protection and the Richland operations office.
Oregon Governor Brown says the recent collapse of a tunnel at the Plutonium Uranium Extraction Plant has made this a serious issue.
“We feel strongly that the federal government must step up and ensure the safety of the people of Oregon and the people of Washington for the Hanford cleanup," she tells KLCC.
"Last week’s accident certainly raised the stakes. And we need additional resources now.”
President Trump is expected to release a more detailed budget proposal next week.
Copyright 2017, KLCC.