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Pallone on Hanford Nuclear Waste Site Accident

May 9, 2017

Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement today upon news that a section of a tunnel used to store contaminated nuclear materials collapsed at the Hanford nuclear waste site in Washington:

"Earlier today, a site area emergency was declared at the Hanford nuclear waste site in Washington state when part of a tunnel used to store contaminated radioactive waste reportedly collapsed.

"This incident underscores the need for the Department of Energy to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and security of workers. The Committee has a longstanding interest in the Department of Energy's management of these complex cleanup efforts.

"I am requesting that the Department of Energy brief the committee on the root causes of today's incident and provide details on its implications for continued cleanup efforts at the Hanford facility."

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