Hanford's B Reactor Could Help Remember History, Spur Economy

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell made a visit to Richland, Washington Friday to highlight how creating a B Reactor National Historical Park would create jobs and spur tourism in southeast Washington. The B Reactor at Hanford was the world’s first full-scale plutonium production facility. Correspondent Anna King has more.

Senator Maria Cantwell believes despite its dark history, Hanford has an important lesson to share.

“There is a scientific story here about scientific accomplishment,” she says.

Paula Mary Bruggerman was also at the press event. Through tears she explained that her parents were forced off their 500-acre ranch when she was three so the federal government could build Hanford. She hopes the B Reactor would highlight sacrifices made by families like hers.

The U.S. Senate and House bills would also preserve Manhattan Project sites at Los Alamos, New Mexico and Oak Ridge Tennessee.

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