TOM LOGAN, West Richland

My family and I have lived in the Tri-Cities for more than 20 years. Many of us who live here have become immune to the calls to get Hanford cleaned up. But, that is only becoming more urgent now that one of the newer underground tanks is leaking highly radioactive waste.

The government says one million gallons of waste have already leaked into the ground. With 177 tanks storing 56 million gallons, it's only a matter of time before more leaks.

It's also possible one of the 70-year-old underground storage tanks will collapse, sending contamination into air.

We have to resume full construction on the vit plant. The tanks aren't getting any younger. The government needs to decide what it wants the vit plant to treat so Bechtel can finish design and construction.

Bechtel has been in the construction business for 112 years and you don't do that without being good at it and giving customers what they need at a price they can afford.

And what the American taxpayers need is a vit plant that will treat the waste at a price we can afford. It's not going to get safer or cheaper by waiting.