PEARCE: WIPP RECOVERY MOVING FORWARD

Washington, DC - Congressman Pearce responded to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) release of its recovery plan for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).

“The release of DOE’s recovery plan for WIPP is another positive step toward resuming operations,” said Pearce.  “The plan lays out a clear and dedicated plan to not only reopen the site, but to mitigate future accidents by implementing new safety standards and requirements.  Once again, I must thank Secretary Moniz for his commitment to safely and expediently reopen WIPP and for his support for the Carlsbad community.  The New Mexico Delegation and Congress must now do its part by providing DOE and WIPP with the funds it needs to move forward.

“WIPP is vital to the environment and national security of our nation.  The site is nothing without the workforce and community that support it every day.  I fully support the recovery plan’s ability to keep all employees retained and working during the recovery.  Neither New Mexico nor the nation can afford losing the institutional knowledge and skill the WIPP employees have.   I look forward to continuing to work with DOE, the state, and the community to ensure WIPP resumes operations as safely and quickly as possible.”

NOTE: A full copy of the WIPP recovery plan can be found here.