DOE IG RAISES CONCERN OVER URS’ LACK OF COOPERATION IN BUSCHE INVESTIGATION

URS has come under criticism for an alleged lack of cooperation in an investigation now underway into the recent termination of a nuclear safety manager at the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant. Weapons Complex Monitor has learned that the Department of Energy Office of fInspector General recently expressed concern over URS’ level of cooperation to DOE management. The DOE Office of Environmental Management asked the IG to investigate URS’ decision to terminate Donna Busche, who has alleged she faced retaliation and harassment for raising safety concerns at the Hanford vit plant. Both URS and WTP contractor Bechtel National have denied Busche’s allegations. Neither the DOE IG’s office or EM responded to request for comment yesterday. In a brief statement, URS said, “We have been cooperating with the Inspector General’s investigation.”