Mayor Brown Opposes Liquid Waste Transport Through Spokane, Recommends Safer Alternatives
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~ Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown has once again expressed her opposition to the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) plan to transport hazardous waste through the city. In a letter sent on Thursday, Brown cited concerns for public safety and the environment.

The DOE is planning to frequently transport low-activity radioactive waste from the Hanford Nuclear Site to facilities in Texas and Utah in its liquid form. This decision was made after partners in Oregon raised concerns about the potential risks associated with trucking the waste through their communities.

Mayor Brown's letter emphasized that if these shipments must pass through Spokane, they should first be grouted on-site before being transferred. She stated, "Transporting untreated liquid waste through the heart of Spokane poses serious risks to our residents, roads, and river. Spokane should not be put in danger for the sake of convenience or cost-saving measures."

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In addition to calling for grouting of the waste before it reaches Spokane, Mayor Brown also requested that the DOE provide advanced notification and coordination with local emergency services for any shipments passing through the city. She also urged the department to supply federal funding for training and equipment specific to radiological response, publish a detailed worst-case scenario analysis for urban transport incidents, and delay final route approval until Spokane's safety concerns are addressed and mitigation resources are in place.

The mayor's concerns stem from a recent test transport that took place through Spokane. She believes that proper precautions must be taken before any further shipments are allowed to pass through the city.

As Communications Director Erin Hut stated, "Mayor Brown is committed to ensuring the safety of her community and will continue to advocate for measures that protect both residents and the environment." The DOE has yet to respond publicly to Mayor Brown's letter.

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