Bechtel National Resolves Civil Lawsuit

Bechtel National Inc. has reached a settlement with the Department of Justice that resolves civil allegations related to work at the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant project (WTP) in Washington state. Bechtel National Inc. will pay $67.5 million under the settlement agreement.

“We have performed our work at the WTP project ethically and professionally,” said Fred deSousa, Bechtel National Inc. manager of public affairs. “Bechtel National Inc. expressly denies the allegations, which relate to events that happened some years ago.

“A protracted legal proceeding and the distraction of a trial are not in the best interest of the WTP project. Instead, we will focus on continuing to work in collaboration with the Department of Energy to solve the most challenging and complex radioactive waste problem in U.S. history.

“We are proud of the thousands of hard-working employees on the WTP project who have dedicated themselves to helping the Department of Energy achieve its mission of building a Waste Treatment Plant that will safely process Hanford’s tank waste.”

Under the settlement agreement Bechtel National Inc. admits no wrongdoing in the matter.