Best wishes to Washington River Protection Solutions. Here's hoping for a successful enterprise.

The Department of Energy recently awarded the team a $7.1 billion, five-year contract to operate Hanford's tank farms, where 53 million gallons of high-level radioactive wastes are temporarily stored.

Considering the critical nature of the task ahead, the fates of this newest Hanford contractor and the Tri-Cities are entwined.

In more ways than one.

We haven't changed our thinking on contractor churn at Hanford. DOE policy puts too much value on competition and too little on stability.

Three other major Hanford contracts are pending, so the upheaval continues.

Absent any malfeasance or gross incompetence, it's questionable whether the savings to taxpayers exceed the associated costs.

It would be interesting to see an analysis that attempts to put a price tag on the inevitable disruption that accompanies a major competition.

No matter how skilled the new team, it will take months to recover from the hit to morale and productivity, longer if losing competitors appeal DOE's decision.

That's not a slam against the new contracting team, owned by URS Corp.'s Washington Division, EnergySolutions and Areva.

In fact, from a community prospective, we like what we've seen.

Washington River Protection Solutions understands the community is a partner in Hanford cleanup. That much is evident in the company's approach following DOE's decision.

A website was launched to help introduce the team to Hanford workers and the Tri-Cities. Among other features, it describes the company's vision, goal and expectations.

They provide good measures by which the community can evaluate performance.

The website includes an e-mail link for questions. There's also the option of calling the company's hotline number, 946-3288.

In an open letter to the community, Bill Johnson, president of Washington River Protection Solutions, has acknowledged the connection between Hanford contractors and the rest of the Tri-Cities.

"There has always been a strong sense of community optimism and pride in southeastern Washington state, and we look forward to supporting the multitude of community activities through involvement in civic, social and educational organizations, charitable contributions and sponsorships, and continued subcontracting with local small businesses," Johnson writes.

"It's recognized that we will be tackling one of the most pressing safety and environmental problems in the DOE complex, but it's also an opportunity to make a huge environmental difference. And we, in partnership with DOE, our talented work force, and a supportive community, are determined to succeed."

That's a good start.