Reopening of the public comment period on the draft of the Hanford Air Operating Permit Renewal 3
July 22, 2018 – September 14, 2018
The public can comment on the draft permit renewal of the Hanford Site Air Operating Permit (AOP) No. 00-05-006 Renewal 3. The public comment period, which was initially held for 60 days and closed in April 2018, was reopened July 22, 2018 through September 14, 2018. The draft permit documents are the same, but electronic access for some supporting documents is now available (below).
The state’s regulations for controlling air emissions limit the duration of an AOP to five years. The previous Hanford Site AOP expired on March 31, 2018. A new AOP was needed as the Hanford site still has air emissions. We received the renewal application from the U.S. Department of Energy on Sept. 12, 2017, and determined the application was complete on Nov. 7, 2017. During the permit renewal process, the existing AOP (No. 00-05-006 Renewal 2, Rev. B) remained in effect.
Congress amended the federal Clean Air Act in 1990 by creating AOPs for industrial sources of air pollution. An AOP brings all applicable air requirements into one document. In 1991, the Legislature updated the Washington Clean Air Act (RCW 70.94) to make it consistent with these changes. In 1993, Ecology developed Washington’s AOP regulation (WAC 173-401) to comply with federal regulations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted the state the authority to implement the AOP regulations in November 1994. The Hanford Site AOP was first issued in June 2001.
Three agencies administer the Hanford site AOP. We regulate the nonradioactive criteria and toxic air emissions; Washington State Department of Health regulates all radioactive air emissions; and the Benton Clean Air Agency administers outdoor burning.
Supporting documents
Supporting documents
Notices of Construction
Standard Terms and General Conditions
Statement of Basis for Standard Terms and General Conditions
Attachment 1: Ecology permitting conditions
Statement of Basis for Ecology permitting conditions
Attachment 2: Health permitting conditions
Statement of Basis for Health permitting conditions
Attachment 3: BCAA permitting conditions
Statement of Basis for BCAA permitting conditions
Transmittal Letter
Focus Sheet
Supporting Documents - Ecology (PDF Portfolio) (Best if viewed in Internet Explorer)
Supporting Documents - Department of Health License Files
Perma-fix Northwest expanded scoping comment period and public meeting
March 4 to March 25, 2019
The Perma-fix Northwest (PFNW) expanded scoping of a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 21-day public comment period was from March 4 to March 25, 2019, and the public was invited to comment.
PFNW manages and treats both low-level (LLW) and mixed low-level (MLLW) radioactive wastes at its Richland facility. The treatment, storage, and handling of MLLW requires a DWR permit from us. PFNW is currently seeking to renew its WR permit.
As part of the permit renewal process, PFNW submitted a renewal application for its DWR permit to us in 2009. Due to significant changes and updates to the facility and operations since the original permit authorization and EIS in 1998, Ecology, as the lead agency, has determined that there is potential for adverse impacts. Therefore, we've decided to conduct a complete environmental analysis under SEPA to supplement the 1998 EIS.
Supporting Documents
A public meeting was held on March 13, 2019, at 5 p.m at:
Richland Public Library
955 Northgate Dr.
Richland, Wa 99352
All comments needed to be submitted by March 25, 2019
For questions, please contact:
Randy Bradbury, Washington State Dept. of Ecology, randy.bradbury@ecy.wa.gov, 509-372-7954.
Public comment period on proposed changes to the Hanford Dangerous Waste Permit for modifications to sitewide security requirements
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Richland Operations Office held a 60-day public comment period from Dec. 10, 2018, to Feb. 11, 2019, for a Class 2 Permit Modification to the Hanford Dangerous Waste Permit. This proposed modification would update Attachment 3, Security.
The proposed updates included documentation of the Hanford site’s 24-hour surveillance system, personnel access requirements, perimeter area fences, barricades, and signage. The signage updates describe the Wye Barricade, no trespassing, perimeter, unit group, and Columbia River signs.
A public meeting was held Jan. 16, 2019, 5:30 p.m., Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Dr. Richland, Washington 99352.
To read the full documentation, please see the Hanford.gov events calendar, the Administrative Record, and the Public Information Repositories.
The permittee's compliance history during the life of the permit being modified is available from the Department of Ecology contact person above.
Second Comment Period on Proposed Modifications to PUREX Storage Tunnels
August 13, 2018 – September 27, 2018
Ecology held a 45-day public comment period on the proposed permit modifications affecting the PUREX Storage Tunnels located on the Hanford site. The tunnels store waste, mostly large equipment components, from the PUREX Plant and other onsite sources. By completing the response action for Tunnel 1 and the proposed interim closure action for Tunnel 2, the tunnels will continue to safely store the waste.
The proposed changes included draft permit language reflecting the response actions taken to grout Tunnel 1 and the proposed interim closure action for Tunnel 2. The draft changes included a proposal to fill Tunnel 2 with engineered grout to help mitigate potential threats to human health and the environment. This will not preclude remedial or final closure actions until future cleanup decisions have been reached. Because the tunnels will no longer accept waste, this proposed permit modification would add the PUREX Storage Tunnels as a closing unit to the Hanford Facility RCRA Permit, Revision 8c.
Public hearings were held for the PUREX Storage Tunnel permit modification
Supporting documents
Environmental Performance Demonstration Test – WTP Modification
April 23, 2018 – June 22, 2018 — Ecology's Response to Comments
We held a 45-day public comment period that addressed proposed modifications to
Dangerous Waste Portion for the Treatment, Storage, and Disposal of Dangerous Waste for the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP), located in Part III, Operating Unit 10. The permittee(s) are U.S. Department of Energy Office of River Protection and Bechtel National, Inc. The facility is located on the Hanford site in southeastern Washington. The end date for submitting comments was June 8, 2018 and was changed to June 22, 2018.
The proposed modification incorporated the draft Environmental Performance Demonstration Test (EPDT) plan for the Low-Activity Waste (LAW) Facility into the WTP Permit, and revised the Part A and permit conditions to support the EPDT. This proposal was one of many changes to the original WTP Permit. Periodic updates would allow the permittees to continue construction while designing other parts of the WTP.
The WTP includes multiple facilities: The Analytical Laboratory (Lab), the LAW Facility, the High-Level Waste Facility (HLW), the Pretreatment Facility (PTF), the Effluent Management Facility (EMF), and the Balance of Facilities (BOF). Under the Direct Feed Low-Activity Waste configuration, the EMF, the LAB, and the LAW Facility will become operational first to process the low-activity waste from Tank Farms. This draft EPDT and associated documentation was specific to the operation of the LAW facility under the Direct Feed Low-Activity Waste configuration.
This draft agency-initiated WTP Permit Modification (8C.2018.3D) focused on the permitting documentation and language to support the performance of the draft EPDT. The draft EPDT Plan describes feed and testing that are proposed to prepare the LAW Facility for the final step in cold commissioning. Cold commissioning is a test of LAW Facility subsystems without the introduction of dangerous wastes. Testing will be conducted using first water and then simulated waste.
The draft EPDT is designed to demonstrate that the LAW Facility can meet the performance standards outlined in the WTP Permit. The test will collect selected emissions data for use in the human health and ecological risk assessment. The EPDT is scheduled to be performed at the end of the cold commissioning phase of the LAW Facility prior to hot commissioning, which is when Tank Farm waste supernatant would be fed via the Direct Feed Low-Activity Waste configuration. The current schedule to perform the LAW Facility EPDT is 2021.
Supporting documents:
Focus Sheet
Transmittal letter
Statement of Basis
Conditions
Chapter 1 Part A
24590-LAW-PER-CTST-17-001_Rev_0
Proposed Modifications to PUREX Storage Tunnels
February 12, 2018 – April 12, 2018 — Ecology's Response to Comments
The U.S. Department of Energy Richland Operations Office (DOE-RL) held a 60-day public comment period to support a Class 3 Permit Modification to the Hanford Dangerous Waste Permit. The modification addressed the stabilization of Tunnels 1 and 2 at the Plutonium Uranium Extraction (PUREX) Plant until final closure decisions are made and implemented.
DOE-RL recognizes the importance of informing the public on the entire sequence of activities. This proposed modification included a public meeting that was held on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. at the Richland Public Library, including a question-and-answer session.In addition to information on plans to stabilize Tunnel 2, the meeting also included information on the outcome of grouting Tunnel 1.
Supporting documents
Electronic access to the proposed permit modification and supporting documentation is available online at http://www.hanford.gov/pageaction.cfm/calendar?IndEventId=8797
Proposed Changes to the Hanford Permit
November 27, 2017 – January 31, 2018 — Ecology's Response to Comments is in process
The U.S. Department of Energy Richland Operations Office (DOE-RL) held two concurrent 60-day public comment periods for two related Class 3 Permit Modifications to the Hanford Site-Wide Dangerous Waste Permit. The first modification addressed the preparation of the Waste Encapsulation and Storage Facility (WESF) for the transfer of the cesium and strontium capsules to the proposed Capsule Storage Area. The second modification addressed the construction and operation of the proposed Capsule Storage Area that would provide interim dry storage of the capsules that are currently in wet storage at WESF. These two permit modifications were sent to us in November 2017. We held a separate public meeting for each, both on Dec. 13, 2017, in the Richland Public Library.
While the capsules are currently in a safe configuration, WESF is an aging facility. Dry storage would significantly reduce the possibility of a release of radioactive material, should an unlikely event cause the loss of pool storage water, which may result in the overheating and breach of one or more capsules. The proposed modifications and supporting documentation are available for review online at WESF and CSA, and online at Hanford Administrative Record and Public Information Repositories. Copies can be reviewed in person at the Hanford Administrative Record Public Information repository at 2440 Stevens Center Place in Richland.
WTP Analytical Laboratory
December 4, 2017– January 19, 2018 — Ecology's Response to Comments
We held a 45-day public comment period that addressed proposed modifications to the operations of the Analytical Laboratory (Lab) and provided the operating details for the Analytical Lab under the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste configuration for the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Permit. The permittee(s) are the U.S. Department of Energy Office of River Protection and Bechtel National, Inc.
The WTP is located on the Hanford site in southeastern Washington. We finalized draft permit conditions to support the proper operation of the Analytical Lab. These draft conditions can be reviewed in Permit Conditions III.10.L, Analytical Laboratory Specific Operating Conditions. Updates to Permit Condition Tables III.10.E.D and III.10.E.P, are provided to reflect the current operations information. Chapter 4H Analytical Laboratory, Chapter 6A Inspection Plan, and Chapter 8 Personnel Training are also included in this draft permit modification for review. In addition to the draft conditions to support the Analytical Lab operations, Permit Conditions III.10.C.16 for Secondary Containment Devices and corresponding tables are also being included in this modification for inclusion to the existing WTP Permit. The current WTP Permit contains design information related to construction of the Analytical Lab. This design information will remain in the WTP permit until we've confirmed that construction of the Analytical Lab is certified completed.
Supporting documents
Conditions
Statement of Basis
Transmittal Letter
Chapter 4H
Chapter 6A
Chapter 8
Response to Comments
Focus Sheet
Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Dangerous Waste Permit
November 6, 2017 — January 5, 2018 - Ecology's Response to Comments
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of River Protection (ORP) and Bechtel National, Inc. are holding a 60-day public comment period on a proposed modification to the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Dangerous Waste Permit. This Class 2 modification is requesting approval from Ecology to install new Dangerous Waste Permit-regulated, non-critical ancillary equipment such as pipelines, valves, and inline components at the WTP Effluent Management Facility. This ancillary equipment is identical to equipment that has already been installed in WTP facilities to-date. A public meeting is scheduled for December 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the Richland Public Library (955 Northgate Drive). The proposed modification and supporting documentation are available for review online at http://www.hanford.gov/pageaction.cfm/calendar?IndEventId=8533.
Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Permit Interim Compliance Schedule
September 28 — November 13, 2017 - Ecology's Response to Comments
We are providing notification of a 45-day public comment period starting September 28, 2017, regarding proposed modifications to the Interim Compliance Schedule for the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Permit. The permittees are the U.S. Department of Energy Office of River Protection and Bechtel National, Inc. The WTP is located on the Hanford Site in Southeastern Washington. The plant will immobilize in glass 56 million gallons of dangerous radioactive and chemical waste stored in 177 underground storage tanks at Hanford. This modification is the second portion of a Class 3 permit modification (8C.2017.3D) and focuses on proposed modifications to the Interim Compliance Schedule for the WTP Permit. The proposed Interim Compliance Schedule has been revised to align the dates with the final Consent Decree filed in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington (Case 2:08-CV-5085 - RMP, Document 222) on March 11, 2016. The permittees held a public comment period for the first portion of the Class 3 modification from March 6 through May 5, 2017, with a public meeting held March 30. We are proposing additional modifications to the Interim Compliance Schedule and to permit conditions following the first comment period.
Air Permit Revision: 222-S Engine Notice of Construction Modification
August 21, 2017 — September 4, 2017 - Response to Comments in process
U.S. Department of Energy Office of River Protection proposes a modification to the existing air permit DE15NWP-001, Modification A. The proposed modifications are to provide additional definitions to permit condition terms which are administrative in nature. Requests for a public comment period must be submitted to the permitting authority in writing via letter, fax, or electronic mail during the fifteen-day internet posting period.
Proposed Class 2 Permit Modifications to the Unit Descriptions and Closure Activities for the 1301-N and 1325-N Liquid Waste Disposal Facilities
June 5, 2017 — September 8, 2017 - Ecology's Response to Comments
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking public comment to support Class 2 Permit Modifications to closure activities for the 1301-N and 1325-N Liquid Waste Disposal Facilities. Public comments are accepted from June 5 through August 4 September 8, 2017. The 1301-N and 1325-N facilities were used for liquid waste disposal from N-Reactor, a reactor that was used during the Cold War for plutonium production, and operated from 1963 through 1987. The facilities also received dangerous waste generated from laboratories and may have received waste from spills within the N-Reactor Building.
Proposed changes to the Hanford WTP Dangerous Waste Permit
July 3, 2017 — September 1, 2017 - Ecology's Response to Comments
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of River Protection (ORP) and Bechtel National, Inc. are holding a 60-day public comment period on a proposed modification to the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Dangerous Waste Permit. This proposed permit change provides the operating permit information and draft conditions to support WTP Analytical Laboratory Operations. The public comment period runs from July 3 through September 1, 2017, with a public meeting scheduled for August 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Richland Public Library (955 Northgate Drive).
Proposed modifications to the Hanford 242-A Evaporator chapter of the Hanford Dangerous Waste Permit
June 26, 2017 — September 1, 2017 - Ecology's Response to Comments
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of River Protection (ORP) and Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) are holding a 60-day public comment period on proposed modifications to the Hanford 242 A Evaporator chapter of the Hanford Dangerous Waste Permit. This modification involves changes to the Part A Form, Preparedness and Prevention Requirements, and Contingency Plan. This change is needed to support waste management activities and remove a diesel generator that is no longer needed. The public comment period runs from June 26 through September 1, 2017, with a public meeting scheduled for July 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Richland Public Library (955 Northgate Drive).
Proposed changes to the Hanford Liquid Effluent Retention Facility and 200 Area Effluent Treatment Facility Permit
June 26, 2017 — September 1, 2017 - Ecology's Response to Comments
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of River Protection (DOE-ORP) and Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) are holding a 60-day public comment period on proposed modifications to the Hanford Liquid Effluent Retention Facility (LERF) and 200 Area Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF) Permit. This change is needed to support waste management activities at these facilities as well as reformat and add a new well to the Groundwater Monitoring Plan. The public comment period runs from June 26 through September 1, 2017, with a public meeting scheduled for July 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Richland Public Library (955 Northgate Drive). The proposed modification and supporting documentation are available for review online at http://pdw.hanford.gov/arpir/index.cfm/viewDoc?accession=0069670H.
Proposed changes to the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Permit, Revision 8C
May 22, 2017 — July 7, 2017 - Ecology's Response to Comments
We invite you to comment on changes to the Hanford Facility Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Permit, Revision 8C. This change affects the Dangerous Waste Portion of the Treatment, Storage, and Disposal of Dangerous Waste for the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP Permit). The proposed changes are located in Part III, Operating Unit 10. The proposed permit modification incorporates design information for the secondary containment within Effluent Management Facility (EMF) at the WTP Site. A detailed description of the proposed modification can be found in the Statement of Basis.
Modification of the Hanford Facility Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Permit for the Treatment, Storage, and Disposal of Dangerous Waste, Part Ill, Operating Unit Group 10 (WA 7890008967) Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Class 2 Modification for Effluent Management Facility
April 10, 2017 — June 9, 2017 - Ecology's Response to Comments
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of River Protection (ORP) is holding a 60-day public comment period to support a requested Class 2 permit modification to the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Dangerous Waste Permit. This modification is requesting approval from Ecology to install new underground waste transfer pipelines needed to support the Direct-Feed Low Activity Waste (DFLAW) configuration for WTP operations.
Proposed changes to the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Permit
March 6, 2017 — May 5, 2017 - Ecology's Response to Comments
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of River Protection (ORP) and Bechtel National, Inc. (BNI) are holding a 60-day public comment period to support a proposed modification to the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Dangerous Waste Permit (Permit). This requested modification is needed to update the WTP Permit Interim Compliance Schedule to reflect the compliance dates outlined in the Amended Hanford Consent Decree between DOE and the state of Washington issued March 11, 2016. A public meeting presentation is scheduled for March 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Richland Public Library (955 Northgate Drive).
Revisions to Groundwater Monitoring Plans for 300 Area Process Trenches and 183-H Solar Evaporation Basins
January 23, 2017 — March 24, 2017 - Ecology's Response to Comments
The U.S. Department of Energy Richland Operations Office (DOE-RL) is holding a 60-day comment period on proposed changes to the Hanford Facility Site-wide Dangerous Waste Permit. The proposed modification changes groundwater monitoring requirements for the 300 Area Process Trenches and the 183-H Solar Evaporation Basins Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) units. The public comment period runs from January 23 through March 24, 2017. A public meeting will be held on February 28, 2017 at 5:30 pm at the Richland Public Library (955 Northgate Drive).