The Department of Energy has taken the initial step to develop policies for the next use of newly cleaned up land at Hanford.

It has created the Task Force on Asset Revitalization, which will recommend procedures to review project proposals for use of Hanford land and other DOE land released from environmental cleanup work.

Proposals already have been made to DOE for reusing some Hanford land on the 586-square mile nuclear reservation. Large portions are planned to be preserved as open area, but DOE plans also call for making 60 square miles available for industrial use.

Energy Northwest has proposed a lease of 300 acres near the Columbia Generating Station to be used for energy research or production by Energy Northwest or other companies or agencies. And Tri-City interests, including the Tri-City Development Council, are working to recruit an unnamed international energy company interested in developing a plant just north of the Richland city limits.

The new national task force is expected to make recommendations within the year to DOE under secretaries of energy, science and nuclear security on forming an Asset Revitalization Initiative.

Read the full story at tri-cityherald.com.