WIPP Resolution To Go To Governor

Resolution asks that negotiations be resolved regarding WIPP fines

By Sarah Matott

smatott@currentargus.com @SarahMatott224 on Twitter

CARLSBAD >> A resolution urging the state of New Mexico and the Department of Energy to reach an agreement is expected to be signed by Eddy County public and private groups, and sent to Gov. Susana Martinez.

The resolution is asking that the DOE and the New Mexico Environment Department resolve their dispute related to the compliance order issued after investigating the causes of the two events that took place in 2014.

This is the compliance order that resulted in fines to the DOE that targeted the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and the Los Alamos National Laboratory directly.

The first group to approve the resolution was the Carlsbad Department of Development on Thursday.

Carlsbad City Council and the Eddy County Commissioners are expected to pass the resolution on March 17. It is unknown when the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce will discuss the resolution.

"Negotiations have been on everyone's mind and WIPP is extremely important to the nation," Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway said Thursday at a WIPP meeting.

After the resolution is approved by all four groups, the resolution will then be sent to Gov. Martinez.

"We need to see these negotiations resolved, for it effects the whole clean-up effort in a dramatic way," said John Heaton, chair of the Mayor's Nuclear Task Force. "The process we suggested may or may not be accepted for their resolution."

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