The Carlsbad Department of Development Attends NCSL to Promote WIPP and Nuclear Industry

CARLSBAD, NM, August 27, 2011 (Press-News.org) The Carlsbad Department of Development (CDOD) recently attended the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) in San Antonio, Texas. Over 4,800 legislators from all over the United States attended the annual conference. The CDOD made positive connections related primarily to the nuclear efforts in Carlsbad and throughout Eddy County.

The CDOD, which exists to develop the City of Carlsbad and Eddy County, New Mexico, works to promote and recruit existing and new industry to the area. CDOD representatives were on hand at the NCSL to promote the success of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), the nation's only licensed and permitted nuclear waste storage facility.

"My primary focus in attending the conference was to promote economic development for our district," said State Representative Cathrynn Brown. "I made it a point to inform as many legislators as I could about the ideal conditions that exist in southeastern New Mexico for safely disposing of nuclear waste. Most legislators were in the dark about what we do at WIPP."

WIPP has been operating since 1999 and has a perfect safety record since opening. The site is expected to receive its 10,000th shipment of waste within the coming months. The community could not be happier with WIPP operating in Carlsbad and Eddy County, bringing hundreds of jobs and economic stimulus to the area. Even with all of the success surrounding this unique operation, not many people seem to know about its existence or mission.

"It was apparent from our conversations with state legislators from across the nation that WIPP remains unknown despite its 12 successful years of nuclear waste transportation and disposal," said John Waters, Executive Director of the CDOD. "Each of the legislators that we spoke with from states with idle nuclear waste and used nuclear fuel was pleasantly surprised to discover that Carlsbad potentially offers a feasible and cost-effective alternative to the recently throttled Yucca Mountain project."

Solving the nation's waste storage issues is a goal that WIPP and Carlsbad have in common. Added Brown, "It really intrigues other people that our community supports nuclear waste disposal initiatives. More than 30 states have waste in above-ground storage, and they'd like to send it elsewhere. My message to them was, 'We are here to help. Think salt. Think Carlsbad."

The Carlsbad Department of Development is a member supported non-profit organization. Members represent over 100 chief executive officers in industry, business and finance, the City of Carlsbad, Eddy County Board of Commissioners, New Mexico State University-Carlsbad, and other organizations. The Carlsbad Department of Development is your first contact for business assistance in Carlsbad and South Eddy County.

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