Oregon Public Broadcasting

State and federal officials announced Tuesday they've settled a lawsuit over the pace of cleanup at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

The news came as U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu visited the nuclear site in southeastern Washington for the first time.

The new settlement brings to a close litigation between the state of Washington and the Energy Department after nearly two years in court.

Governor Chris Gregoire says the state agreed to push back cleanup deadlines. But in return the new agreement is enforceable in federal court.

Chris Gregoire: "Very importantly we will review the completion dates every six years and every three years we will look into a detailed plan to evaluate whether we can accelerate the cleanup."

Secretary Chu says the federal government is also considering a limit on shipments of new radioactive waste to Hanford.

Shipments would be postponed until a massive waste treatment plant at the site is finished in 10 years.