Spokane mayor opposes plans to ship Hanford waste through city

By Dan Thesman on Friday, September 20th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

SPOKANE – Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown has written a letter to state and federal agencies opposing plans to ship millions of gallons of hazardous waste through that city. The liquid waste is set to be shipped by rail or truck from the Hanford Nuclear Site to facilities in Texas and Utah.

In her letter, Brown expressed disappointment to learn that, following serious concerns expressed by the state of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the agencies shifted their route to go through Spokane.

Brown also expressed concern that these plans were made without an updated environmental impact statement and without consultation with Spokane’s Office of Emergency Management and first responders.

Photo: Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown