The Office of Environmental Management (EM) tank waste program consists of safely storing of 90 million gallons of radioactive liquid waste at the Hanford Site in Washington, the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho and the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina.
EM operates major nuclear facilities to process and dispose of the waste as well as emptying, cleaning and closing the waste tanks. The SRS and ORP waste streams treatment involves separating the highly radioactive fractions and low activity factions. The high activity portion undergoes vitrification while the low activity portion is then either vitrified or grouted.
As liquid waste is processed, the tanks are operationally closed through a process that involves: bulk waste removal, heel removal, cooling coil flushing/annulus cleaning, isolation and residual sampling and grouting.
The EM tank waste program’s goal is to continue cleanup progress in a cost-effective manner that is risk informed, engages stakeholders, applies innovative solutions and provides value to the American taxpayer.
Tank Waste News
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Hanford team has finished removing radioactive waste from the 23rd underground storage tank, marking continued progress towards site remediation and revitalization. May 12, 2026May 12, 2026
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Assistant Secretary of Environmental Management Tim Walsh recently visited the Savannah River Site to view the cleanup mission firsthand and tour Savannah River National Laboratory and H Canyon. May 5, 2026May 5, 2026
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management is taking a big step forward in its tank waste cleanup effort in the 200 West Area of the Hanford Site. April 28, 2026April 28, 2026