The Department of Energy on Wednesday signed the paperwork needed to allow radioactive waste to be pumped into the Hanford nuclear site’s vitrification plant 23 years after construction began, said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.

The DOE signoff — which had been expected by the end of August before rumors that DOE was rethinking the project — was the last remaining obstacle to initiate waste treatment, according to Murray’s staff late Wednesday.

DOE faces a federal court deadline of Oct. 15 to start turning radioactive waste stored in underground tanks at Hanford in Eastern Washington into a stable, but still radioactive, glass form.

“After unacceptable delays, it’s good that DOE has finally heeded my call to sign the paperwork necessary to move forward with the final step of hot commissioni

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