Carlsbad, New Mexico, to Host National Nuclear Fuel Cycle Summit

CARLSBAD, NM, September 01, 2011 (Press-News.org) The Carlsbad Department of Development (CDOD) has announced the first annual National Nuclear Fuel Cycle Summit, taking place April 2-5, 2012. The Summit will be hosted by Carlsbad, New Mexico, and will include renowned experts from the various nuclear-related industries across the nation.

Panel discussions will provide members of the public and policymakers with valuable insights into and strategies addressing our national nuclear fuel cycle policies, our nation's growing energy needs, nuclear waste management, regulation, and funding. A lively discussion on the highly anticipated recommendations from the President's Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future will round out the last day of the summit. Other summit highlights include limited tours of the nation's only permitted and operating geologic nuclear waste repository, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (or WIPP) and an evening dinner and reception on Lake Carlsbad.

As the home of the WIPP facility, Carlsbad and Eddy County have long been strong supporters of the nuclear industry. "Since its inception, WIPP has provided hundreds of safe, well-paying jobs and economic stimulus to our community," said John Waters, executive director for the CDOD. "Not many communities across the nation are as supportive of the nuclear industry as is Carlsbad."

Safe management and disposal of nuclear waste is paramount to both the nuclear and defense industries. Recent events, such as the tsunami in Japan and the earthquake along the Eastern United States have brought the focus on current storage methods employed by nuclear plants. The catastrophic forest fires near Los Alamos National Laboratory demonstrate the defense industry's need for a permanent geologic repository. With over twelve years of stellar operations, WIPP has proven to be a reliable and safe solution for disposing of nuclear waste.

In addition to the WIPP facility, Carlsbad and the surrounding Eddy and Lea Counties boast two National Laboratories, the URENCO Nuclear Enrichment Facility, the U.S. Department of Energy's Carlsbad Field Office, and will soon have the ELEA National Consolidated Interim Storage Facility on a 1,000 acre reservation jointly owned by the Cities of Carlsbad and Hobbs and the Counties of Eddy and Lea. These and other nuclear-related ventures (including plans for a local Small Modular Reactor) make Carlsbad a natural for hosting this summit of national importance.

The National Nuclear Fuel Cycle Summit takes place April 2-5, 2012. For more information, contact the CDOD at (800) 658-2709 or e-mail departments@developcarlsbad.org.

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 Eddy County.

For additional information regarding this release
Carlsbad Department of Development / News Division
Office: 575-887-6562
Email: departments@developcarlsbad.org
Web: www.developcarlsbad.org

The Carlsbad Department of Development is the economic development agency for the City of Carlsbad and Eddy County, New Mexico.