TRIDEC Statement on Funding for Hanford and PNNL in Fiscal Year 2027

Since 1963, the Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) has advocated for the funding and policies necessary to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s missions at the Hanford Site and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Each year, TRIDEC works closely with Washington’s congressional delegation and key congressional committees to communicate the funding needs of both Hanford cleanup and PNNL’s nationally important research & development programs.
 
Recently, TRIDEC has heard questions from its members, and from the public, regarding the potential for reduced federal funding in Federal Fiscal Year 2027 (beginning on October 1, 2026), and what that could mean for local jobs and the ongoing work at Hanford and PNNL.
 
While those concerns are understandable, it is important to recognize that proposed budgets are only the beginning of the federal appropriations process. Significant reductions have been proposed in prior years, yet Congress has consistently demonstrated strong bipartisan support for both Hanford and PNNL.
 
Most recently, both the President’s Budget Request and the House-passed bill for Fiscal Year 2026 proposed reductions to Hanford funding. However, the final appropriations bill approved by Congress increased Hanford funding by $277 million—nearly 9.4 percent above the previous year. Similarly, while some programs supporting PNNL faced proposed reductions, Congress ultimately maintained strong funding for many of the laboratory’s core mission areas.
 
The Tri-Cities also benefits from the exceptional leadership of Washington’s congressional delegation. Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, and Representative Dan Newhouse have long been among the strongest advocates for Hanford cleanup and PNNL. Senator Murray’s positions as Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Vice Chair of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee provide her with a particularly influential role in shaping federal funding decisions. During her visit to the Tri-Cities on May 6, 2026, Senator Murray reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that federal funding remains strong. 
 
The Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process is still in its early stages, and final funding levels will not be determined for several more months. While TRIDEC will continue advocating aggressively for the resources needed to support Hanford and PNNL, history provides strong reasons for confidence. Time and again, Washington’s congressional delegation has successfully secured the funding necessary to protect local jobs, advance Hanford cleanup, and strengthen PNNL’s contributions to national security, scientific discovery, and technological innovation.
 
TRIDEC remains committed to working alongside our federal partners and congressional delegation to ensure these critical missions continue to receive the support they need in Fiscal Year 2027 and beyond.