In southeastern Washington state, Bechtel National, Inc. is designing, constructing and commissioning the world’s largest radioactive waste treatment plant for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). When complete, the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) will process and stabilize 53 million gallons of radioactive and chemical waste currently stored at the Hanford Site.
The WTP will use vitrification technology, which involves blending the waste with glass-forming materials and heating it to 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit (1,149 degrees Celsius). The mixture is then poured into stainless steel canisters to cool and solidify. In this glass form, the waste is stable and impervious to the environment, and its radioactivity will dissipate over hundreds to thousands of years.
The WTP Project is equivalent to building two nuclear power plants. Its construction site spans 65 acres and includes four major nuclear facilities -- Pretreatment, Low-Activity Waste Vitrification, High-Level Waste Vitrification and Analytical Laboratory. Construction began in October 2001, and, in late 2009, the plant surpassed the 50-percent complete mark.
Construction is expected to be complete in 2016, and, following commissioning, the plant will be operational in the fall of 2019.
For more information, see The Project.
Official name:
Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant
Nicknames:
Hanford Vitrification Plant; The Vit Plant
Location:
Hanford Site; Southeastern Washington State
Owner:
U.S. Department of Energy
Contractor:
Bechtel National, Inc.
Principal Subcontractor:
Washington Group International, a division of URS
Project start: 2001
Construction complete: 2016
Project complete: 2019
Bechtel National, Inc. is designing and constructing the world’s largest vitrification facility to convert radioactive wastes stored in underground tanks to solid glass. This VIT Plant will be located on the Department of Energy’s Hanford site, near Richland, Washington.
Diversity
Bechtel National, Inc. is working in southeastern Washington State to build the world’s largest vitrification facility. It takes major talent to build a plant this complex and one of Bechtel’s core guiding principles is to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly competent, committed and creative colleagues of diverse origins who are the best in their fields. .
For a listing of jobs to apply to click the links below.
Bechtel WTP Jobs
Bechtel College Hire Opportunities
Jobs at Washington Group International, a division of URS-WD
Bechtel and URS participate in the E-Verify Program
About E-Verify (English) | About E-Verify (Espanol)
Right to Work (English) | Right to Work (Espanol)
Progress at the Hanford Vitrification Plant is a short newsletter, published every two months, that highlights the ongoing progress being made at the Hanford Vitrification Plant. If you would like to receive this newsletter, please sign up below.
January 2010
October 2009
July 2009
HSSA Agreement
HSSA Addendums
HSSA Bulletins
Schedule of Wages (effective 07/01/2010)
For more information, contact Joseph Pizzarella at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Thank you for your interest in the Hanford Vitrification Plant. The publications below contain valuable information about the plant. Please direct media inquiries to:
Suzanne Heaston
Communications Manager
(509)371-2329
Glen Jones
Deputy Communications Manager
(509)371-2226
Fact Sheet files
Waste Treatment Plant Overview
Pretreatment Facility
High-Level Waste Vitrification Facility
Low-Activity Waste Vitfrification Facility
Analytical Laboratory
Press Releases
Vitrification_Process_high_summary_level.pdf
Vit Plant finishes year with major accomplishments
Vit Plant’s Pretreatment Facility expands interior installations
50% Complete 10/19/09
Hanford Vitrification Plant continues to meet milestones at Pretreatment Facility
Secretary Chu visits the Vit Plant
Contribution Guidelines
Bechtel National, Inc. is pleased to be a part of the community and welcomes the opportunity to help support important causes and groups.
The Bechtel Community Services Activities Committee guidelines reflect the major areas that the Corporation wishes to emphasize in its philanthropic activities. To the extent possible, these guidelines are aligned with the needs of the community.
Bechtel’s charitable contributions are focused on those education, health and human services and civic activities, and arts and culture. In 2010, we will give added priority to requests that support activities with a strong youth math and science education component. Requests will be evaluated, based on the following considerations, with more weight given to those listed first:
- Programs that are oriented toward engineering, science and math
- Broad-based programs that serve the most people possible
- Programs that address the needs of the under-served populations
- Programs that provide exposure for Bechtel
- Efforts that support services that have limited options for alternative funding (i.e., our contribution makes a difference)
- Events sponsored by local chapters of national health, medical, and human service organizations in which employees participate
Screening Criteria
In general, Bechtel does not make contributions to or for the following:
- Personal assistance for individuals, including grants, loans, scholarships, or subsidies for basic services
- Organizations or programs that pose a potential conflict of interest
- Fraternal organizations
- Individual public or private schools
- Requests from telemarketers or commissioned fundraisers
- Conferences and seminars
- Travel funds
- Tickets for benefits
- Free-lance films or videos
- Courtesy advertising
- Product requests
- Political or partisan organizations
- Sports fields, teams or individual participants
- Groups that promote a specific religious doctrine
- Multi-year commitments
- Requests that are not in writing
How to apply
If your project or activity falls within our funding criteria, you are encouraged to submit a written application for funds.
There is no application form. Your request must be made in writing and should address the following topics:
- The amount of money you are seeking
- A brief summary of the project and how this project helps meet your organization’s goals and objectives
- The mission and goals of the organization
- Overall budget and funding sources for the organization
- Name, address and telephone number of the organization’s principal contact for this grant request
- Web site address, if available
Your letter of application should also include a copy of your IRS determination letter, if applicable. It may also include attachments you believe will help us better understand your organization, such as brochures and news clippings. Bulky items, such as videotapes, are not encouraged.
Bechtel National, Inc. reviews requests throughout the year and does not have a prescribed deadline for submitting requests. Submitters will be notified in writing of the disposition of their request.
Submit to:
Suzanne Heaston, Communications Manager
2435 Stevens Center Place
Richland, WA 99352
Bechtel Website
Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau
Hanford Site
Tri-City Herald
Washington Group International, a division of URS-WD
Tridec
City of Richland
Homebuilders Association
SQC Online
Webmaster: wtpcomm@bechtel.com
The scope of the services provided by Bechtel National, Inc. and Washington Group International, a division of URS-WD, Inc.(WGI) includes the design, construction, and start up of the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (Vit Plant).
To view contract opportunities, our two year work forecast and recent awards please visit: