Newsletter 5

During the week of May 17th, the NM Environment Department (NMED) will hold a public hearing on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) proposed new Shaft at WIPP. DOE expects that this shaft will be finished in 2024, which is when DOE originally told NMED that WIPP would stop receiving waste under the existing state hazardous waste permit. The shaft is clearly an essential part of DOE's long-range plans, to expand WIPP—currently the only nuclear waste repository in the nation—and to operate it for decades.

While NMED and DOE are trying to limit the May 17th hearing to discuss only about the shaft as a ventilation shaft, New Mexicans are connecting the dots and won't be fooled by a DOE process that is attempting to push their FOREVER WIPP agenda through piecemeal. This approach lacks appropriate study of the health and safety for communities near WIPP, environmental and economic effects from the modification, or adequate public education or involvement.