Walter Tamosaitis – Engineer, Manager, Concerned Citizen
Dr. Walter Tamosaitis, Research & Technology Manager for the Waste Treatment Plant, was removed from the project in July 2010 after raising safety concerns. The concerns include issues that would impact the overall safety and operation of the plant. In Dr. Tamosaitis’s letter to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board he wrote, “I believe that the practices I have observed and experience in the WTP of seeking to suppress safety and other design concerns may adversely affect future public health and safety, result in a less-than-adequate design and waste taxpayer money.”
This case has garnered well deserved public attention because of the seriousness of both the concerns Dr. Tamosaitis brought forward, and because of the retaliation taken against him by his employer for stating the concerns at an internal meeting.
New reports, information and articles on Dr. Tamosaitis and the Waste Treatment Plant will be posted on this page.
Evidence was released this week showing that a Federal Project Manager was involved in the removal of a senior technical manager who blew the whistle on safety and technical concerns at the Hanford Nuclear Site in southeastern Washington.
Department of Energy (DOE) manager, Dale Knutson, had earlier provided a sworn statement in a court proceeding that he did not direct Bechtel or URS, two contractors at the Hanford site, to “take any specific actions” in relation to Dr. Walter Tamosaitis, who was removed from his position after he raised significant safety concerns related to the design of the Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) at Hanford.
Walt Tamosaitis files Fed Court Complaint Naming DOE and URS on November 9, 2011.
See Appendix filed with Complaint — contains over 200 pages of evidence, emails, deposition transcripts and documents cited in Complaint.
Press Release: Dr. Tamosaitis and attorney Jack Sheridan to hold Press Conference Monday, September 13th, 11:30am at the Benton County Courthouse announcing the filing of a civil suit.
Walter Tamosaitis & WTP Concerns
Read Dr. Walt Tamosaitis’ testimony to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental affairs on national whistleblower protections.
Walter Tamosaitis – Engineer, Manager, Concerned Citizen
Dr. Walter Tamosaitis, Research & Technology Manager for the Waste Treatment Plant, was removed from the project in July 2010 after raising safety concerns. The concerns include issues that would impact the overall safety and operation of the plant. In Dr. Tamosaitis’s letter to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board he wrote, “I believe that the practices I have observed and experience in the WTP of seeking to suppress safety and other design concerns may adversely affect future public health and safety, result in a less-than-adequate design and waste taxpayer money.”
This case has garnered well deserved public attention because of the seriousness of both the concerns Dr. Tamosaitis brought forward, and because of the retaliation taken against him by his employer for stating the concerns at an internal meeting.
New reports, information and articles on Dr. Tamosaitis and the Waste Treatment Plant will be posted on this page.
Evidence was released this week showing that a Federal Project Manager was involved in the removal of a senior technical manager who blew the whistle on safety and technical concerns at the Hanford Nuclear Site in southeastern Washington.
Department of Energy (DOE) manager, Dale Knutson, had earlier provided a sworn statement in a court proceeding that he did not direct Bechtel or URS, two contractors at the Hanford site, to “take any specific actions” in relation to Dr. Walter Tamosaitis, who was removed from his position after he raised significant safety concerns related to the design of the Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) at Hanford.
Walt Tamosaitis files Fed Court Complaint Naming DOE and URS on November 9, 2011.
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Blasts Hanford and DOE, Issues Safety Culture Recommendations, June 9, 2011.
Department of Energy Official “In the Loop” on Termination of Prominent Whistleblower. Read entire press release, March 21, 2011.
More news & updates:
Historical Note
DOE Employee Concerns Report on WTP, finding Chilled Work Environment, January 18, 2005