06.19.13

Cantwell Hails DOE Secretary’s First Visit to Hanford

On April 9 Cantwell secured commitment from Sec. Moniz to visit Hanford

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) hailed the first visit of U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz to Hanford. Moniz met with local officials in the morning before touring the tanks farms and waste treatment plant.

“I’m pleased Secretary Moniz is visiting Hanford during his first month on the job,” said Cantwell. “Hanford is one of the most complex and largest contaminated nuclear cleanup projects in the world. We need to ensure the federal government lives up to its commitment on cleanup and uses its resources effectively.

“I thank Secretary Moniz for following through on his commitment to me to visit the Hanford site. I am particularly pleased that the Secretary met with local officials whose input is invaluable to the future of the Hanford site. I look forward to continuing to work with him on this vital cleanup effort.”

Cantwell secured Moniz’s commitment to come to Hanford at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources confirmation hearing on April 9. 

“You and I have had a chance to have many conversations about a variety of issues but obviously first and foremost on my list is Hanford and Hanford cleanup,” said Cantwell to Moniz during the April 9 hearing. “First of all, I hope that you’ll make it a priority to visit Hanford very soon in your tenure as Secretary of Energy.”

Moniz responded: “I certainly will. … My plan would be to get hard briefings immediately, go to the site because I think you need to be there to understand the issues, come back, work with the Chairman, work with you, [Senator] Murray and make sure we get a plan together going forward and do that expeditiously.”

Moniz was sworn in as the 13th Energy Secretary on May 21 after the Senate voted 97-0 to approve his confirmation. Cantwell supported his nomination in committee and on the Senate floor. 

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