Oregon Public Broadcasting

The State of Oregon will have a greater role in cleanup decisions at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu made that announcement Tuesday on a visit to Hanford.

He says Oregon will be consulted on future decisions at the nuclear site because people who live downstream have a keen interest in timely cleanup.

That new role is part of a larger agreement between Washington State and the federal government on Hanford cleanup deadlines.

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski says it's a big day for his state.

Ted Kulongoski: “This agreement actually recognizes Oregon's role, this consulting role that we have with the state of Washington in getting information, time, documents, things of that nature.”

Oregon will be able to participate as an observer, along with Washington, in reviews of cleanup work with the U.S. Department of Energy.

A public comment period on the new federal and state Hanford agreement begins in September.