RICHLAND, Wash. – Big changes are coming to the Hanford Site’s landfill in southeastern Washington. The Department of Energy is about to kick off construction on a new “super cell” at the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility (ERDF), which is twice the size of the original cells. This expansion will add about 2.8 million cubic yards of disposal space, supporting cleanup projects until 2040.
Brian Harkins, Acting Manager for the Hanford Field Office, highlighted the importance of this move: “ERDF has been a cornerstone of our waste disposal strategy for nearly 30 years, and expansion of the facility is critical to provide for uninterrupted, efficient and safe disposal in support of our ongoing cleanup mission for years to come.”
The ERDF, located at the heart of the Hanford Site, covers 107 acres and handles low-level radioactive and hazardous waste from cleanup operations. Since 1996, it has managed over 19 million tons of waste, including debris from more than 800 demolished facilities and material from about 1,300 waste sites.
Bob Wilkinson, President and Project Manager for contractor CPCCo, expressed excitement about the project. “Our team remains committed to safe and efficient operations at ERDF, and our experienced crews are excited to get started on this important project to support continued risk reduction at Hanford,” he said.
This is the fifth time ERDF has been expanded, with previous expansions in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011. The facility continues to process 10,000 to 15,000 tons of waste each month.
