World’s largest melter of radioactive waste now heating up at Hanford

The world’s largest melter of radioactive waste is now heating up near Richland after more than 20 years of construction. 

The melter will be used to glassify radioactive waste from Hanford tanks, preparing the waste for permanent disposal. The melter will first create practice glass before processing real Hanford tank waste by the end of 2023.

The Hanford Site is a decommissioned nuclear production site. Between 1942 and 1987, the facility produced plutonium for the nation’s nuclear arsenal. Radioactive waste was stored and remains today in tanks with a lifespan of only about 25 years. Leaking tanks and other problems pose enormous risks, threatening the local community and environment. Adequate, stable federal support is vital to clean up the site.

Earlier this year, the federal government took the unprecedented step to amend a funding proposal for the Hanford cleanup, adding $191 million to the effort over the next fiscal year. State leaders have petitioned the federal government for decades for more funding to support the cleanup. The federal adjustment to the funding proposal was an encouraging step, one that Gov. Jay Inslee hopes will be followed by continued support.

"Things are heating up in this Hanford cleanup," said Inslee. "This melter has been a long time coming - its activation is a big leap forward for the project. Likewise, we hope this recent federal support is a sign of greater commitment."

Inslee salutes state workers advancing Rights of Way Initiative

Gov. Jay Inslee met with frontline state workers and local nonprofit teams on Friday to hear about their experiences transitioning people out of unsafe roadside encampments and into supportive housing. Their efforts are part of the Right of Way Safety Initiative announced by the governor in May. The program is currently focused on sites in King, Thurston, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane counties. More than 100 residents have been connected to shelter or services.

Employees from the state Department of Commerce, state Department of Transportation, and Washington State Patrol have led the program’s implementation, in partnership with local governments and nonprofit service providers. Inslee expressed appreciation for the teams’ dedication, compassion and results.

“This is not easy work. It’s not easy to walk into these encampments and move people. It’s not easy to find someone a place to live. It’s not easy to encourage someone to accept help,” said Inslee. “It takes hard work to achieve results, and these Commerce, WSDOT, and WSP folks have done the work to achieve meaningful progress.”

"This work comes down to people helping people," said Marc Dones, CEO of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. "We are deeply grateful to our state partners for approaching this work in a person-centered way, leading with dignity and respect."

Inslee tours tiny home factory, visits supportive housing in King County

Experts agree that more affordable housing and support services are critical to addressing homelessness. Creating a continuum of options helps bring stability and safety to people experiencing homelessness. Tiny homes are one option Gov. Jay Inslee sees promise in. He visited the Sound Foundations NW “Hope Factory” and learned how factory employees use a system of jigs and templates to build consistent, safe, and economical tiny homes shipped throughout the region. Local tiny home villages “villages” typically offer both shelter and connections to treatment and supportive services for formerly unsheltered residents.

Inslee’s tour of the facility on Friday was one of several stops to acknowledge regional partners addressing homelessness in King County.

“Your efforts are essential to restoring opportunities for communities to address the various challenges that contribute to homelessness," said Inslee. "That is incredible to think about. Washingtonians are the secret sauce to solving all of our greatest challenges in an innovative, compassionate way, together."

Inslee later toured the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) Hobson Place. The facility offers care for people with disabilities, 177 units of shelter for people experiencing homelessness, training for medical professionals, and an outlet for hospitals discharging patients without safe recovery options. The facility is operated collaboratively by DESC and the University of Washington School of Medicine.

"As a state, we're working to reduce homelessness. We're working to increase medical system capacity," said Inslee. "Here, I see solutions to two issues at once. You're moving the needle."

Inslee tours shell house of University of Washington’s famous “Boys in the Boat”

Daniel James Brown’s 2013 book, “The Boys in the Boat” made waves as a dramatic retelling of the Olympic success of the University of Washington men’s rowing team in 1936. The group pulled with all their might to surpass Italy and Germany to claim a gold medal. The ASUW Shell House was the team’s home base – the University of Washington has been restoring the facility to preserve its triumphant history. Gov. Jay Inslee toured the facility on Friday.

Within the shell house are a number of historic photographs and mementos from that 1936 team and the 1948 team, which won a gold medal in the men's coxed four (a four-man boat event).

A feature film directed by George Clooney and casting Joel Edgerton, Callum Turner and Courtney Henggeler is currently under production. The film is expected to debut in 2023.

News you might have missed:

Saturday, Oct. 15 is White Cane Awareness Day

Blind people often rely on a white cane to navigate the world and live an independent life. White Cane Awareness Day also provides an opportunity to learn how we all play a role in supporting safe navigation for blind people. As one example, the cane is a signal for drivers to yield – failure to yield to a blind pedestrian violates state law (RCW 70.84.040). The Washington Driver Guide reads, “Pedestrians using a guide dog or other service animal or carrying a white cane have absolute right-of-way. It is unlawful to interfere with or distract a service animal. Do not use your horn as it could confuse or frighten the pedestrian or the service animal.”

Inslee urges Congress, “Don’t fall back,” allow permanent daylight savings time

Washingtonians will “fall back” on Nov. 6 and will turn their clocks back by one hour, returning to standard time. Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill in 2019 to establish permanent daylight savings time, keeping clocks “sprung forward” year-round. However, a congressional waiver is required before that can happen. The U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 this spring, which could institute permanent daylight savings time if the U.S. House of Representatives and President Joe Biden both approve.

Drop, cover, hold on – join the “Great Washington ShakeOut” next week

Earthquakes and tsunamis are possible in Washington state. Thursday, Oct. 20 is a day for Washingtonians to practice preparedness. Over 1.3 million Washingtonians will participate in the Great Washington ShakeOut, an exercise to refresh disaster preparedness techniques like “drop, cover, and hold” during an earthquake. Earthquakes commonly precede tsunamis - coastal communities might also review evacuation routes.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines recommended for all 6 months and older

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) urges the public to get an influenza (flu) vaccine in addition to a COVID-19 booster this fall. Flu activity has been reduced in recent years due to COVID-19 precautions, but the state experienced a late spring flu wave as those precautions relaxed.

“Flu can be unpredictable and sometimes severe,” said Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MD, MPH, Chief Science Officer. “To protect your family’s health, getting vaccinated against influenza with a flu shot or nasal spray vaccine should be part of the fall routine for everyone 6 months and older. It’s also the perfect time to get up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters too.”

Inslee honors state employee efforts during annual leadership ceremony

Gov. Jay Inslee recognized 23 state agency leaders on Thursday during an annual celebration for outstanding leadership and inclusive excellence. Accomplishments ranged from achieving one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the nation, enacting a long-term plan to support the successful operations of a Medicaid Nursing Facility program, and making sure stakeholders had a voice in implementing a new medical alert designation on driver’s licenses. The Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award program was first created in 1985.