KENNEWICK — The Department of Energy has made no changes to its longstanding commitment to the environmental cleanup to the Hanford nuclear site, said Energy Secretary Chris Wright in a statement posted online Tuesday.

The statement, which he said was “contrary to news reports,” followed rumors that DOE wanted to change course in treating the least radioactive waste at the massive vitrification plant that has been under construction for 23 years.

But while Wright said that no changes have been made, he also did not say that they would not be.

“DOE is continuing to examine testing and operations of the DFLAW site to ensure waste disposal options are safe, cost-effective and environmentally sound,” he said.

DFLAW stands for Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste, which is DOE’s current approach

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