Carlsbad Mayor, CDOD: Positive News About WIPP 2012 Budget

CARLSBAD, NM, December 23, 2011 (Press-News.org) Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation have shown their strong support of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's safety record and operational success by fighting to keep the Department of Energy facility sufficiently funded.

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, or WIPP, is the Department of Energy's underground repository for defense-generated, transuranic (TRU) waste. Since WIPP opened in 1999, more than 10,000 shipments of TRU waste have been permanently disposed of in salt beds 2,150 feet below the surface. WIPP is located about 26 miles outside of Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.), in a Dec. 9 letter to Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, showed their support for the President's request of $229 million to operate WIPP during Fiscal Year 2013.

Furthermore, Senators Bingaman and Udall were essential in working out a compromise between Senate and House requests related to the FY 2012 WIPP budget. Since September, WIPP's budget had been operating under a continuing resolution for FY 2012; a budget of $215 million was approved by the Senate and House last week and signed by the president this week.

Carlsbad leaders said they were pleased with the news about WIPP's budget for FY 2012 and with the show of support for FY 2013 funding.

"Over the past year, there has been a lot of concern in Southeastern New Mexico about the future of WIPP's budget," said Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway. "We've already seen the loss of more than 100 local positions, so I'm extremely pleased to hear this positive step forward. It is very important that WIPP continue to receive sufficient funding to enable its vital mission to be carried out effectively and safely."

"I'm also delighted by the Office of Nuclear Energy's budget, which includes $7 million for generic salt studies," said John Heaton, chair of the Mayor's Nuclear Task Force. "WIPP is the ideal location for these studies."

Jody Knox, president of the Carlsbad Department of Development, noted that WIPP's budget is of national importance.

"It's a national mission to clean up waste at sites across the country," she said. "Senators Bingaman and Udall, with support from Congressman Steve Pearce in the House of Representatives, have shown that they understand how important it is that WIPP receive sufficient funding to continue to meet its cleanup mission."

To date, WIPP has completed its cleanup mission at 21 sites across the country, an accomplishment that saves the taxpayer millions of dollars a year, Knox noted.

The accelerated cleanup at WIPP has saved the taxpayers 4 1/2 billion dollars so far. More cleanup efforts remain.

"Providing WIPP with the resources it needs to continue with its operational capabilities and outstanding safety record is the right call," Knox said. "I really appreciate all of the hard work our officials have put in to ensure WIPP's continued success."

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

Website: http://www.developcarlsbad.org