HANFORD, Wash. – The Department of Energy has officially approved the opening of the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste (or DFLAW) program at the Hanford Vitrification Plant, set to begin on October 15, 2025.

This decision allows the Hanford site to process nuclear waste by turning it into glass. The announcement follows weeks of uncertainty from the Trump administration, which had hinted at possible delays.

Senator Maria Cantwell emphasized the importance of this approval, noting the potential risk to thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investments if the program had been postponed.

Senator Cantwell highlighted the urgency of the program, stating, "Right now, there are 56 million gallons of radioactive and chemical waste being stored underground in World War Two Era tanks. These 1

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