Energy Department Selects Contractor for Hanford Waste Treatment/Immobilization Plant

[Richard_M_Pierson@rl.gov]

Energy Department Selects Contractor for New Waste Treatment and
Immobilization Plant at Hanford

Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson today announced that Bechtel-Washington
has been selected  to design, construct, and commission a new waste
treatment and immobilization plant that will remediate Hanford tank waste.  

"This is a major step towards meeting our commitment to the people of the
State of Washington to treat waste now stored in underground tanks at
Hanford," said Secretary Richardson.  "By selecting a new contractor more
than one month ahead of schedule, the department has maintained momentum on
this critical project."

The contract is valued at approximately $4 billion over a ten-year period.
More than 53 million gallons of highly radioactive tank waste are stored in
aging underground tanks at the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington
State.  The tank waste, a byproduct of plutonium production for World War II
and Cold War defense purposes, will be vitrified -- or turned to glass -- as
an inert waste form.

In order to maintain momentum during the contract competition period,
vitrification project activities have been performed by CH2M HILL Hanford
Group Inc., (CHG) the contractor responsible for managing day-to-day
operations at the Hanford tank farm.  Bechtel-Washington will begin work
immediately, and coordinate with DOE and CHG to ensure a swift and seamless
transition. 

Harry Boston, the Office of River Protection Manager said, "We are excited
to have the 
Bechtel-Washington team start work.  Two qualified teams with the experience
to perform this project submitted credible proposals.  However,
Bechtel-Washington provides DOE the highest confidence of delivering a plant
that works within budget and schedule.  The competitive process for this
award helps give us confidence that this job will be completed in a fiscally
responsible manner."

Bechtel-Washington will locate its project team in Richland, Washington.
Bechtel, based in San Francisco, California, teamed with Washington Group
International, Inc., based in 
Aiken, South Carolina, will perform the contract.  The Washington Group
International, Inc., includes the former companies of Westinghouse
Government and Environmental Services Company, Morrison Knudsen, and
Raytheon Engineers and Constructors. 

Note:  The Office of River Protection manages the day-to-day operation of
the nation's largest and most complex environmental cleanup
project--retrieval and treatment of tank waste at the Hanford Site.  More
background information on the Office of River Protection can be found on the
office's web site at:  <http://www.hanford.gov/orp/index.html>
http://www.hanford.gov/orp/index.html.

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