Program on the Environment

The Hanford Site, located along the Columbia River in Southeastern Washington, remains one of the most contaminated nuclear cleanup projects in the United States. Despite its proximity to local communities, such as the Tri-Cities, and decades of federal remediation, public understanding of the cleanup site is still limited and varies between communities. This research examines how demographic factors, such as age, education, income, ethnicity, and proximity to Hanford, influence public knowledge and perceptions of nuclear energy and its cleanup. I gained direct exposure through an internship with the Central Plateau Cleanup Company, a contractor for the Department of Energy at the Hanford site. Such experiences focused on environmental compliance, regulation, and risk mitigation reporting. To complement this field experience, I administered and analyzed a statewide survey (n=185), which tested nuclear literacy and trust in cleanup operations. Results indicate that education serves as the strongest predictor of nuclear literacy, with respondents holding bachelor’s or higher degrees scoring significantly better in the factual quizzes. Income also served as a correlate of knowledge, with the highest scores coming from those earning between $100,000-$200,000. Lower-income participants ranked environmental risks as of higher concern. Hispanic/Latino participants also reported lower levels of familiarity and trust, reflecting disparities in equity. Overall, 91.8% supported nuclear energy’s future role, yet 14.8% expressed skepticism toward federal oversight of cleanup operations. These results highlight the importance of open communication and continued, targeted education in enhancing literacy about nuclear issues and environmental trust among communities.