Wrap up: Hanford warehouse space sought; EPA boss could head Wash. Ecology; AtkinsRéalis picked for SMR project

Businesses interested in leasing warehouse space for the Department of Energy’s Hanford Site in Washington state now have until Dec. 30 to formally express interest in a deal with the Leidos-led landlord contractor at the nuclear cleanup site.

Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS) initially published an online procurement notice Nov. 23 seeking a lease on a warehouse with at least 205,000-square feet located on a site of 10-acres or more. The original expressions of interest called for replies by Dec. 12. An updated one published Dec. 5 calls for responses by Dec. 30.

HMIS wants a large consolidated warehouse to replace current buildings being used around the DOE’s Hanford Site and Richland, Wash., according to the notice. HMIS prefers a warehouse close to major roadways and capable of accommodating deliveries from semi-trucks. The contractor is looking for a 20-year lease. 

Casey Sixkiller, administrator of Region 10 of the Environmental Protection Agency, during the past two years, could head the Washington state Department of Ecology after Governor-elect Bob Ferguson (D) takes office, the Washington State Standard reported last week.

Sixkiller is a former deputy mayor of Seattle, according to his online bio. Laura Watson has been director of Ecology since 2020. Among other things, Ecology serves as a state regulator for the Department of Energy’s Hanford Site.  

Ferguson, Washington’s attorney general, was elected in November to succeed Gov. Jay Inslee, a fellow Democrat. Ferguson defeated Republican Dave Reichert, a former congressman and county sheriff. Ferguson takes office next month. 

Montreal-based AtkinsRéalis has been selected as the owner’s engineer to help Energy Northwest develop small modular reactors at the Department of Energy’s Hanford cleanup site in Washington state.

AtkinsRéalis announced Thursday it would work with Energy Northwest to design multiple small modular reactors at the Columbia nuclear power plant near Richland, Wash.

Energy Northwest and Amazon, the online retail giant, said in October, they were teaming up to pursue new carbon-free electric generation for Amazon. Amazon is funding the feasibility study for the project. The small modular reactors would be at Energy Northwest’s Columbia site on land leased from DOE at the Hanford Reservation.