The Hanford nuclear reservation's waste treatment plant in Washington state should stop work because of quality concerns, the plant's engineering director said in an internal memo before he left his job.

Work should halt "to avoid further nuclear safety compromises and substantial rework," said leading engineering department official Gary Brunson in a December memo obtained by watchdog group Hanford Challenge. Brunson, who left his position this month, couldn't be reached for comment.

The document has surfaced a day after DOE said workers could safely restart construction at the nuclear waste cleanup plant. The construction at the plant, called the nation's most contaminated nuclear site, would begin after it was put on hold for seven months (Greenwire, Jan. 16).

In the memo, Brunson questioned the quality of the plant, which would process radioactive waste stored in 177 tanks. He urged an independent review and that "all activities affecting engineering design, nuclear safety, and construction and installation of all structures, systems and components be stopped."

DOE said in a statement, "The department will continue, and as appropriate, ramp up construction work not impacted by the remaining technical issues" (Scott Learn, Portland Oregonian, Jan. 16). -- WW