1989
...
1990
January 5, 1990-Yakima Indian Nation, Washington, & Oregon challenge DOE's plan for waste
January 10, 1990-Task force looks into possibility of tanks exploding
January 13, 1990-DOE announces Hanford will undergo environmental review
January 17, 1990-Three groups threaten to sue DOE for study of PUREX
January 26, 1990-Bush announces plans to close Fast Flux Test Facility
January 27, 1990-Washington Congressmen Fights to Keep Reactor
January 27, 1990-Governor supports bringing more waste to Hanford
January 29, 1990-State and counties ask DOE to pay back taxes
January 29, 1990- Military spending in Washington increases as employment at Hanford decreases
January 30, 1990-PUREX Plant switch from defense program to cleanup site
February 2, 1990-Hanford no longer receiving waste from Rhode Island and D.C.
February 3, 1990-Washington Delegation wants plutonium-238 production at Hanford
February 3, 1990- Agreement made to allow more shipments of waste to Hanford
February 9, 1990-Politicains fight Hanford's switch from production to cleanup
Feburary 14, 1990-Safety of underground tanks still in question
February 17, 1990-Emission study runs into problems
February 22, 1990-Hanford to send radioactive materials to Germany
February 27, 1990-Panel recommends Hanford studies sever ties to DOE due to conflict of interest
March 1, 1990-Japanese and Canadian researchers join fight to keep reactor open
March 12, 1990-States ability for oversight in Hanford cleanup questioned
March 13, 1990-Leaked DOE document discloses problems at Hanford
April 1, 1990-State and DOE relationships strained
April 4, 1990-British scientists want to study exposed Hanford workers
April 5, 1990-Deparment of Transportation criticizes DOE over airspace restriction
April 5, 1990-Investigators study hydrogen build up at Hanford tanks
April 10, 1990- Fast Flux Test Facility shut down for maintenance
April 19, 1990-Two-thirds of health and safety problems reported at Hanford remain unresolved
May 2, 1990-Energy Secretary does not want to complete unfinished nuclear plant at Hanford
May 3, 1990-Dep. of Ecology wants Hanford accountable to saw waste regulations as private industry
May 5, 1990-Ethanol in storage tanks could explode
May 13, 1990-Hanford daily logs show numerous accidents
May 15, 1990-Department of Energy wants to ship plutonium waste to Hanford
May 18, 1990-Medical records of Hanford workers released for use in radiation study
May 20, 1990-Extent and cost of Hanford cleanup debated
May 20, 1990-Bush administration backing away from Tri-Party agreement
June 2, 1990-Hanford subcontractor fired due to false, inaccurate & unreliable results
June 5, 1990-Supreme Court Ruling could effect Hanford Whistle-Blower
June 9, 1990-Congress votes to keep reactor open and money for cleanup
June 13, 1990-Army Corp. of Engineers to take over Hanford cleanup
June 19, 1990-Hanford wastes won't leave state until 1996
June 22, 1990-Tanks leaking low-level waste goes unreported
July 6, 1990-Longtime Hanford manager resigns at critical time
July 10, 1990-Report recommends PUREX stay closed
July 11, 1990-New management team is signal Hanford focus is cleanup
July 12,1990-Government study shows radiation release posed serious risk
July 18, 1990-Former and Current Washington residents try to understand study
July 20, 1990-Senate wants Fast Flux Test Facility to stay open
July 21, 1990-Department of Energy criticizes Hanford management & contractors
July 21, 1990-Report suggests keeping PUREX plant closed
August 4, 1990-Alarms rigged to stop going off
August 5, 1990-Department of Energy reverses position on re-negotiating Tri-Party Agreement
August 6, 1990-Two major lawsuits against filed against Hanford operators
August 7, 1990-On anniversary of the dropping of atomic bombs, all nuclear victims are remembered
August 8, 1990-Railroad car derails at Hanford
August 8, 1990-Scientist make radioactive jam to highlight Hanford dangers
August 8, 1990-Underground tank belches hydrogen gas
August 10, 1990-Hanford whistle-blower files lawsuit
August 23, 1990-Scientists debate safety of drilling into underground tanks
August 28, 1990-Scientist want to freeze ground to prevent contamination from spreading
September 12, 1990-Claims made by past Hanford workers denied under secret agreement
September 15, 1990-EPA added to class action lawsuit
September 16, 1990-Controversial study about cancer deaths near nuclear sites released
September 21, 1990-Leak at B Plant reported
September 23, 1990-Farmers worried about bad reputation from proximity to Hanford
September 27, 1990-Fears over contamination prompt Hanford farmers to switch crops
September 27, 1990-Scientist plants garden at Hanford to raise awareness of the need for cleanup
October 3, 1990-Hanford name change suggested to help image
October 7, 1990-Documents show warnings about tank leakage were ignored
October 10, 1990-Hanford admits major underestimates of waste leaks
October 15, 1990-Radioactive dead dogs shipped to Hanford
October 18, 1990-Energy Sectary Visits Tri-Cities
October 24, 1990-Native Americans file lawsuit against Hanford contractors
...
1991
January 3, 1991-Hanford cleanup contractor drops in ratings
February 17, 1991-Whistleblower loses salary for raising concerns about Hanford safety
1991- Bald Eagles Roost at Hanford, Protected by EPA
May 14, 1991-Pathfinder plant removed from Sioux Falls, SD and moved to Hanford Site to be buried
May 24, 1991-Tours scheduled at Hanford
June 15, 1991-AEC alters cause of Hanford worker's death
August 12, 1991, Deactivated nuclear from South Dakota arrives at Hanford
August 15, 1991-N Reactor begins actual shutdown
October 12, 1991- Movie "Building Bombs" (1989) is shown at film festivals
November 28, 1991-New reports about intentional ground release amounts at Hanford
December 19, 1991-Plans finalized for Vitrification Plant at Hanford
1992
January 20, 1992-Archeologists dig up the past at Hanford
February 12, 1992-Highly radiated Cesium 137 to be sent to Ontario, Canada for cancer treatment
May 17, 1992-DOE tells Tri-Cities to look beyond Hanford for jobs
June 19, 1992-States still have veto power over low-level waste coming within their borders
July 30, 1992-Oregon Energy Department says blasts possible at Hanford, Westinghouse demurs
August 14, 1992-B Reactor put on National Historic Landmark list
October 4, 1992-Vice Presidential Candidate Al Gore visits Tri-Cities, promotes jobs
October 4, 1992-US Ecology gives up to $35,000 to Washington political candidates
...
1993
January 12, 1993-Fast Flux Test Plant to be shut down at Hanford
March 7, 1993-People look back on Hanford as home before the nuclear site was built
April 1, 1993- Vitrification plant plans delayed
May 11, 1993- Hanford secrets construed as treasonous
June 24, 1993- Fired Hanford scientist sues for racial reasons
July 28, 1993- Hanford will never make bombs again
August 25, 1993-A private donor may fund WPPSS
September 16, 1993-Energy Secretary promises miracles at Hanford
October 2, 1993-Hanford Cleanup plan delayed
November 10, 1993-Plan to move and bury 8 Hanford reactors
December 13, 1993- Openness Initiative at Hanford reveals secrets
1994
April 14, 1994-Bones discovered at Hanford, halt building
May 7, 1994-Reactor termination debated
May 13, 1994-Hanford Reactor voted to be terminated
May 14, 1994- Washington Public Power Supply System weighs options reactor future
May 20, 1994-New council to mediate whistle blowers and bosses
May 22, 1994-Animal experiments continue at Hanford
June 2, 1994-Report says waste can be treated with existing technology
June 14, 1994-Hanford workers were given radioactive milk as a test
...
1995
January 12, 1995-Daughter of Hanford worker seeks answers to family's health problems
February 9, 1995- Hanford radiation experiments unearthed
March 5, 1995-Hanford Radioactive Isotopes used in medical treatments
April 13, 1995- Hanford health research ordered not to be published
May 5, 1995- Hanford cleanup plan rejuvenated
June 29, 1995-Hanford completes first cleanup deadline
July 19, 1995- Proposed bill gives President oversight power at Hanford
August 27, 1995-Advertised health problems from Hanford, offering help
September 14, 1995- Hanford Isotopes begin helping cancer patients
October 20, 1995- Microbes found under Hanford, could clean up waste
November 8, 1995- DOE tries to stop the shutdown of Fast Flux
December 17, 1995-Environmental groups worry about Hanford cleanup
1996
January 15, 1996- Original cost estimates for cleanup may have been too large
Janurary 20, 1996-Scientist charged with trespassing while trying to test contamination
March 10, 1996-Hanford being considered for national radioactive dump
March 20, 1996-Fluid containing plutonium leaks from pipe
April 18, 1996-Audit reveals 25 safety breakdowns at Hanford
June 17, 1996-Three whistleblowers are fired
July 1, 1996-New documents suggest Hanford leaked more plutonium than thought
August 6, 1996-DOE awards cleanup to contractor under investigation
August 26, 1996-Government pays contractor to fight whistleblower
September 1, 1996-Whistleblower gets job back
October 12, 1996-Four workers are contaminated with plutonium
October 17, 1996-Hanford gets new laboratory
October 19, 1996-Lawyer removed from downwinder's case
December 9, 1996-DOE announces controversial plutonium plans
December 9, 1996-Prisoners sue over Cold War radiation experiments
December 16, 1996-Contractor earns $2.6 million in bonus
1997
Janurary 9, 1997-Contractor settles employee lawsuit
January 17, 1997-Fast Flux will remain on standby
February 5, 1997-Contract submits poor safety plan, loses money
March 4, 1997-Hanford cheaper option in DOE's plutonium plans
March 25, 1997-New lab opens at Hanford
April 1, 1997-Documents reveal Fast Flux Test Facility could have a meltdown
May 2, 1997--Contractor fined over safety
May 12, 1997-Three new studies of health effects of radiation launched
May 15, 1997-Tank explodes at Hanford
July 14, 1997-Contamination under tanks greater than thought
August 8, 1997-leaking pipe sends 1,000 gallons of water through building
September 17, 1997-Whistleblower sues over loss of job
September 24, 1997-Studies on Mule Deer at Hanford Show Strontium in Antlers
October 13, 1997-Senate investigates how DOE award contract
October 16, 1997-Ecology Department denies delay in cleanup
October 27, 1997-DOE to take a closer look inside underground tanks
November 6, 1997-Contractor over budget and missing milestones
November 17, 1997-Drug paraphernalia found at Hanford
1998
January 9, 1998-Radioactive water leaks from Hanford reactor
January 23, 1998-Downwiders to receive medical screenings
March 31, 1998-Hanford contractor fined for May 1997 explosion
May 10, 1998-Privatization of Cleanup receives criticism
June 6, 1998-Tri-Party agreement invoked for first time
July 1, 1998-Test confirm workers inhaled plutonium at Hanford
July 10, 1998-Hanford manager not told about nuclear weapons meltdown
July 28, 1998-DOE and contractors fined over underground tanks
August 26-1998-Judge dismisses downwinder suit
August 27, 1998-Storage tanks found to have leaked more than estimated
September 14, 1998-Radioactive capsules put on sale
September 20, 1998-Whistleblower suit dismissed
October 5, 1998-Congress refuses to fund medical screening for downwinders
October 8,1998-Radioactive bugs spread contamination
November 20, 1998-Hot nuclear sludge removed from tanks
December 18, 1998-Underground tanks removed from safety list
December 22, 1998-DOE announces that Hanford won't produce tritium
December 30, 1998-Rise in radioactive tumbleweeds at Hanford
1999
January 28, 1999-Downwinder thyroid study released, criticized
February 5, 1999-Hanford workers warned about radioactive tumbleweeds
February 12, 1999-Department of Energy fined over Hanford
March 4, 1999-New deadlines for pumping out underground tanks
March 30, 1999-Hanford watchdog group disbands
April 3, 1999-Judge dismisses downwinders' case
April 7, 1999-Hanford contractors sued for over charging DOE
April 15, 1999-Washington passes whistle-blower protection law
May 2, 1999-Bishops call Columbia in Pastoral Letter
May 30, 1999-DOE looks at beryllium exposure
June 28, 1999-plutonium byproduct found near spawn site
July 5, 1999-DOE celebrates 10 years of cleanup, critics feel not enough has been done
July 15, 1999-Workers at nuclear-weapons plants eligible for compensation
August 16, 1999-Two stacks demolished at Hanford
August 19, 1999-Fast Flux Test Facility will be studied for possible restart
August 20, 1999-Reactor from Portland arrives at Hanford for burial
September 3, 1998-Judge limits claims in downwinders suit
October 2, 1999-Downwinders receive radiation-dose
October 17, 1999-Hanford worker burned
October 20, 1999-Contaminated water found at Hanford
November 2, 1999-Study finds high disease rate among Hanford workers
November 3, 1999-Cold Vacuum Drying facility completed
November 6, 1999-Wildlife refuge expanded to include areas of Hanford
November 28, 1999-Hanford Union leader stands by whistle-blower
December 8, 1999-Charges dropped against scientist trespassing at Hanford
December 9, 1999-Hanford selected as dump for low-level & mixed waste
December 12, 1999-strontium levels near Hanford not see as threat to fish
December 13, 1990-Second Hanford worker diagnosed with chronic beryllium disease
2000
January 7, 2000-Two workers contaminated
January 30, 2000-Report links nuclear-weapons production to occupational illnesses
February 4, 2000-groundwater sample has high tritium levels
February 12, 2000-Company forced to stop selling uranium laced fertilizer
March 31, 2000-State imposes Hanford deadlines
April 2, 2000-Workers discover faulty pipes
April 9, 2000-Department of Energy approves new plan for clean up
April 12, 2000-Nuclear workers will receive compensation
April 20, 2000-Cost of cleanup rises 44%
April-27, 2000-Department of Energy rejects plans for plant, fires contractor
May 11, 2000-Judge to oversee cleanup
May 12, 2000-Report says Hanford not at risk of accident
May 18, 2000-Sulfurlike odor sets off alarm
May 26, 2000-Hanford contractor fined
June 9, 2000-Hanford reach becomes national monument
June 14, 2000-Department of Energy is fined over underground tanks
June 29, 2000-Fire burns large portion of Hanford, cause air contamination
July 12, 2000-Downwinders file lawsuit against contractors
July 13, 2000-First shipments of waste leave Hanford
July 23, 2000-DOE delays decision on future of Fast Flux Test Facility
August 8, 2000-US Ecology accepts low-level waste from Spain for burial at Hanford
August 9, 2000-Report warns of importance of long term stewardship of Hanford
August 29, 2000-Lawmakers protest restart of reactor
September 20, 2000-Plutonium stabilized with new method
October 9, 2000-Small radiation leak at 200 East Area
December 1, 2000-Hanford begins relocating nuclear fuel
2001
2002
February 6, 2002- Hanford budget cuts bring political criticisms
March 7, 2002- New cleanup deadlines set
April 18, 2002- Worker exposure to toxic chemicals continues legacy of health issues
May 23, 2002- Criticism over quicker cleanup plan
June 20, 2002- 2004 Hanford budget kept a secret
August 7, 2002- Vitrification plant construction begins
October 1, 2002- Tank waste retrieval goal accomplished
November 11, 2002- Concerns on importing waste to Hanford
2003
January 8, 2003- Spent fuel in K Basins removed
March 4, 2003- Lawsuit to prevent new waste coming to Hanford
April 3, 2003- Fine issued for cleanup delay
May 9, 2003- Hanford clean up work stops due to lawsuits
June 6, 2003- Natural resource damage caused by Hanford brings lawsuit from Yakama Nation
July 17, 2003- New report criticizes DOE cleanup at Hanford
September 5, 2003- New rules for waste disposal
October 29, 2003- Crews begin unearthing unclassified waste
November 13, 2003- 2004 budget set
2004
January 14, 2004- Most dangerous tank secured
February 22, 2004- Leftover plutonium secured and packaged
March 10, 2004- Concerns over importing waste to Hanford grows
April 10, 2004- Concerns over worker safety and health at Hanford grows
May 13, 2004- Highly contaminated building demolished
June 12, 2004- Cleanup of B and C reactor areas begins
July 27, 2004- Groundwater treatement system's not up to par
September 22, 2004- New toxin found in tank farms
November 3, 2004- Initiative to block waste shipments to Hanford passes but opposition is looming
December 2, 2004- Hanford initiative stalled by Federal government
2005
January 14, 2005- DOE wants to bring waste to Hanford despite public and State opposition
May 11, 2005- CH2M Hill fined for worker safety violations
June 15, 2005- Contamination from Hanford more widespread than previously thought
August 18. 2005- New accomplishments on Hanford cleanup
September 2, 2005- Restitution for fired whistle blowers
October 21, 2005- Reactor closure half way complete
November 14, 2005- Budget cuts spark outcry from Washington State government
December 3, 2005- Federal employees overseeing vitrification plant receive bonuses
2006
February 8, 2006- Vitrification plant costs increase
March 24, 2006- Independent review of vitrification plant design finds several issues
May 16, 2006- Potential budget increase for Hanford comes with demand for changes
June 7, 2006- DOE asks Bechtel to return millions it was paid for "cost-performance"
December 1, 2006- Contracts up for bid at Hanford
2007
January 14, 2007- Remnants of animal test farm discovered
February 20, 2007- Radioactive tritium release at Hanford
March 23, 2007- Calcium to be used to stop contamination of Columbia River
April 4, 2007- Impact of Hanford on Surrounding Natural Resources to be Investigated
May 30, 2007- Tri-Party groups enter important negotiations
June 1, 2007- Cleanup of K East Basin sludge complete
July 13, 2007- New Manager of Richland Operations Office
September 1, 2007- Handford landfill receives dump of contaminated soil, sparks outcry
October 5, 2007- Bechtel fined again for issues related to Vitrification plant construction
November 8, 2007- New Manager of Office of River Protection
December 7, 2007- DOE receive large fine for radioactive spill
2008
March 3, 2008- Washington's Governor Gregoire disappointed with latest Hanford budget
April 10, 2008- Transuranic Waste Leaves Hanford for New Mexico
October 17, 2008- Protests in Richland Over Work Sent Off-Site
November 7, 2008- Containers with Unknown Contents Discovered
December 4, 2008- Washington State Sues Federal Government
2009
February 11, 2009- Hanford to Receive Money from Stimulus Package
May 18, 2009- Problem Contractors at Hanford Receive Stimulus Money
June 1, 2009- Stimulus Brings in 400 New Workers
August 10, 2009- Columbia River Fish Being Tested for Hanford Chemicals
September 7, 2009- New Cleanup Deadlines
September 11, 2009- K East Basin Removed
October 2, 2009- Federal Government Wants Waste to Stay Underground
October 16, 2009- Vitrification Plant 50% Complete
December 6, 2009- U Plant Demolition Begins
2010
April 27, 2010-Studies done on US Ecology's trenches to determine contamination
July 11, 2010- Plutonium Levels Triple
August 5, 2010-Yakima Nation sues Washington over US Ecology site
October 30, 2010- Cleanup Deadlines for Central Hanford
November 5, 2010- Radioactive Rabbit Caught at Hanford
November 17,2010- Highly Radioactive Waste Discovered under Building
November 18. 2010- Second of Two Melters to Process waste arrive at Vitrification Plant Arrive
...
2011
February 8, 2011- Hanford Contractor Begins to Look Towards End of Work
February 15, 2011- Potential Budget Increase at Hanford
February 18, 2011- Powerhouse at Hanford Brought Down
February 19, 2011- Hanford Workers Train Using Robotic Arm to Cleanup Tank Waste
February 21, 2011- Cleanup of Plutonium Finishing Plant
February 22, 2011- Task Force Created to Manage Proposals for Future Land Use at Hanford
February 23, 2011- Disposal Cells at Hanford Completed
March 7. 2011- Explosives Take Down Hanford Skyline
March 14, 2011- Yucca Mountain Debate Resurfaces
March 17, 2011- Hanford Cleanup Needs Budget Increase for 2013
March 18. 2011- DOE looks into post-cleanup plans
March 22, 2011- Stimulus money runs out, lay offs begin at Hanford
April 3, 2011- Plutonium Vaults Removed, Restoration of Area Begins
April 5, 2011- K Basin cleanup deadline pushed back to 2028
April 13, 2011- Budget cuts at Hanford
April 23, 2011- Lawsuit to block importing waste to Hanford dismissed
May 4, 2011- Concerns about waste storage at Hanford
May 12, 2011- Hanford cleanup helps DOE achieve goal
May 17, 2011- Elected officials fighting for Hanford cleanup funding
May 20, 2011- Minimal budget cuts for Hanford in FY 2011
June 13, 2011- Investigation raises big concerns over safety at Hanford
Cleanup Timeline Go here to see on overview of cleanup at Hanford.
