In January 2007, the Department of Energy (DOE) awarded a grant to the Tri City Development Council (TRIDEC) to manage a collaborative effort between the Columbia Basin Consulting Group (CBCG) and a TRIDEC-led consortium team. The purpose of the grant was to evaluate the Hanford Site as a potential location for critical fuels and advanced nuclear reactor facilities to support the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP).

Survey research on nuclear power issues conducted in the late 1970s has determined that nuclear waste management is now considered to be one of the most important nuclear power issues both by the U.S. public and by key leadership groups. The purpose of this research was to determine the importance placed on specific issues associated with high-level waste disposal. In addition, policy option choices were asked regarding the siting of both low-level and high-level nuclear waste repositories.