Prominent Congressman Visits WIPP and Speaks with Carlsbad's Community Leaders

CARLSBAD, NM, June 07, 2011 (Press-News.org) Carlsbad, NM and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) received a visit this past Saturday from Representative James Clyburn (SC, 6th Dist.), a prominent member of the U.S. Congress. Congressman Clyburn, the Assistant Democratic Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives and a member of the Congress since 1993, is the leadership liaison to the Appropriations Committee and one of the Democratic Caucus' primary liaisons to the White House. Clyburn spent the day in Carlsbad, NM touring the WIPP site and speaking with community leaders. "I had a very productive and enlightening visit," stated Congressman Clyburn of his trip to Carlsbad and WIPP.

"We are extremely honored that he would take the time to visit the WIPP," said Former State Representative John Heaton. "He has been a strong supporter of nuclear power and the weapons complex since being in Congress." During the visit, community leaders discussed their support of WIPP, local expansion of DOE operations, the proposed interim storage site near WIPP, the civilian waste fund, and the science of salt.

Impressed by the community support, our extensive salt beds, and the WIPP operation, Clyburn sees an opportunity for Congress to resolve the disposal and storage issues surrounding the back-end of the fuel cycle. "It seems to me that the 16-square mile site, of which only 1 square mile is currently being used by the WIPP project, is the answer to our search for a repository to handle our current and future spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste," added Clyburn. "The community seems very supportive. I believe we should move with dispatch to conduct the necessary feasibility studies."

These studies which would take only 6-7 years to complete, would address the few remaining issues involving the thermal mechanics of salt and examine how tiny amounts of trapped water in salt crystals react to the hot temperatures generated by high level wastes. Salt has been extensively investigated as a disposal media for nuclear wastes for the past 70 years. As early as 1957, the National Academy of Sciences recommended stable salt formations as the preferred media for disposal because of the plastic-like nature of salt under pressure and its ability to encapsulate wastes for geologically long periods of time.

Local leaders visiting the nation's capital over the past two years have expressed disappointment by the general lack of knowledge about WIPP that was shown by many of the delegations from other states, including those who are positively affected by WIPP now. The Clyburn visit is being viewed by all as necessary in order to bring a spotlight on what some call the Department of Energy's most successful program in its history.

CDOD Board President Tom Martin, CDOD Board President agrees that this visit was necessary to put the spotlight on the WIPP operation, especially as our nation ponders the disposition of high level waste and spent nuclear fuel. "It is our hope that the interest he has in the WIPP operation and the potential for future missions on the 16-square miles will generate further interest in Washington D.C. and encourage visits from other congressional members and the President's staff," said Martin. Many refer to WIPP as the Department of Energy's best kept secret. "It's time that Washington D.C. learns more about what we have here and what we are doing to help the nation address the challenges of the nuclear fuel cycle," added Martin.

The Carlsbad Department of Development (CDOD), a member supported non-profit organization, promotes the economic and general welfare of the City of Carlsbad and Eddy County through job retention and creation by recruiting new industry, identifying new job opportunities, expanding and retaining existing business, and diversifying their economy. The Carlsbad Department of Development is your first contact for business.

The Carlsbad Department of Development promotes the economic and general welfare of the citizens of the City of Carlsbad and South Eddy County, New Mexico.

Website: http://www.developcarlsbad.org