The Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) project awarded more than USD 111M in subcontracts to businesses based in Washington and Oregon and, of that, nearly USD 90M to those in Washington’s Tri-Cities of Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland, home to the project’s main offices. These subcontracts represent 68.7% and 55% respectively of all that awarded for construction of the plant – and represents the largest percentage awarded in the past five years to Tri-Cities and regional businesses.
Bechtel’s government services company, Bechtel National Inc., is building the plant for the Department of Energy. When completed, the plant will safely treat and immobilize millions of gallons of liquid radioactive waste from Cold War nuclear weapons activities by mixing the waste with glass-forming materials, melting it, and pouring it into stainless steel containers for eventual disposal.
Tess Klatt, WTP Small Business Program manager, said Bechtel makes a concerted effort to support the local business community. “The complexity of WTP – in the construction of four nuclear facilities in one footprint – provides opportunities for both large and small businesses in industries from professional and technical services to complex fabricated metal manufacturing,” she said.
