Tony Garrett, 64, nuclear/electrical engineer, worked at Hanford from 1972 to 1982.

1.What is Hanford?

A nickname given to a government project who's goal was to purify Plutonium enough for it to be used in nuclear weapons. After the 1950's some of the projects resources were redirected to power reactor research and development and nuclear medicine research. Recently most of the work at Hanford is directed toward radioactive waste disposal

2. How did you first learn about the Hanford site?

What did you do there and what was it like to work there? I first learned about Hanford while looking for a job in 1972. I initially worked for Donald W. Douglas Laboratories. Their work focused on making nuclear batteries for artificial heart pumps and pacemakers and (non-nuclear) heat pipes like those used to stabilize the supports for the oil pipeline through Alaska. Later, I worked for Battelle on radioactive waste disposal.

My experience at Hanford was very positive; rewarding work, clean, modern facilities, great weather, almost unlimited opportunities for continuing education, and close interaction with scientists and engineers throughout the world.

3. What image immediately comes to mind when you think of Hanford in general?

Hot desert, blue skies and the Columbia River flowing around the cape.

4. How would you explain what Hanford is to someone who has never heard of it?

I would say, Hanford is a large, diverse scientific R&D facility primarily focused on radioactive waste disposal.

5. Should Hanford education be part of public school curricula? Where in academia should the study of Hanford take place?

The Hanford Project is very similar to a NASA project to the Moon or a Military project to design and built a new aircraft. The latest US Fighter aircraft (F35) cost 325 billion dollars and 14 years to develop. Hanford should have a similar place in school curricula as NASA or fighter development.

Academia should review Hanford literature as they would review literature from any other large engineering project.

6. Has Hanford affected your life? In what way?

My work at Hanford has had a wonderfully satisfying effect on my life. The nuclear aspect of Hanford has not affected my life differently than any other technical aspect of the work. I believe the "Hanford Community" has great schools, low crime, clean air, clean water and abundant recreational opportunities. I would be happy for my grandkids to grow up there.

7. How do you feel about the Hanford Site cleanup?

Largely politically motivated and driven and extremely inefficient.

8. What do you see for the future of the Hanford site?

Essentially all technically work except radioactive waste disposal ended several years ago. I expect the waste disposal work to continue at a slowly decreasing level for at least the next 50 years.

9. Should making information about Hanford available to the public be a priority?

I believe making information available to the public about Hanford or NASA or the TVA or NREL or any government activity should be a priority.

10. If you were going to teach the history of Hanford to students, how would you go about explaining it? Would you include the history of the atomic bomb?

I would tell the students the Hanford Project was a fantastic engineering achievement and a good example of American technological resolve. Hanford produced one of the first atomic bombs and is partly responsible for ending the war with Japan.

11. If you work(ed) at Hanford, what sort of feeling does a Hanford worker get about the purpose of Hanford today and in the past?

I am proud to have been a Hanford worker. I think, not too different from the proud felt by Rosie the Riveter. I feel the same way toward making an atomic bomb as I do toward making a bomber aircraft.