CARLSBAD, N.M. - EM Assistant Secretary Anne White joined local community leaders here last week to break ground for a new and improved underground ventilation system at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
The system will significantly increase airflow in the WIPP underground, permitting simultaneous mining, waste emplacement, rock bolting, and maintenance activities. This allows WIPP crews to emplace waste at a rate that meets the needs of the EM complex.
At the groundbreaking, White said the system is “crucial for WIPP and essential for completion of the EM mission."
Meeting her goal to visit WIPP in her first 90 days as Assistant Secretary, White shared her vision for EM, which includes a focus on performance, accountability, delivering results, and meeting commitments.
“We need to think bigger and bolder," she said. “This ventilation system is the perfect example of that."
White expressed gratitude to the congressional office representatives in attendance for the support Congress has shown for EM’s mission, and she noted she was proud of the cleanup program’s relationship with the local communities.
“Today marks an important milestone," EM Carlsbad Field Office Manager Todd Shrader said, noting White’s interest in “getting to completion" at sites around the complex. “This facility is critical for that."
Bruce Covert, president and project manager of Nuclear Waste Partnership, the WIPP management and operations contractor, conveyed his excitement about this “extremely important project that will allow WIPP to continue its critical national mission for many years to come."
Covert noted that it had been decades since the site had seen a project of this magnitude, with structures to include a 55,000-square-foot above-ground filter building.
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway described the city’s support for the ventilation system and noted that the community’s friends and family members work at WIPP.
“A project such as this ventilation system meets our approval when it comes to safely restoring full-scale operations for both transuranic waste emplacement and underground salt mining," Janway said. “As you have no doubt learned during your visits around the complex, WIPP is the key to the entire system."
The state-of-the-art system is designed to run continuously in high-efficiency particulate air filtration mode, and will allow for easier filter replacement and preventative maintenance activities. At an estimated cost of $288 million, construction of the system is expected to be completed by early 2021.
Field Note from Assistant Secretary White
Many thanks to Todd Shrader and the Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) team for making my first visit to Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) a highly productive one. I understand how vital WIPP is to the DOE complex and that is why it was important to me to visit within my first 90 days. I appreciated having the opportunity to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony commemorating the start of construction on the new ventilation system. I was also happy to present Nuclear Waste Partnership (NWP) with the Voluntary Protection Program Merit Award during the ceremony.
Following the groundbreaking ceremony, I had the opportunity to meet with Mayor Dale Janway, John Heaton, Russell Hardy, Susan Crockett, Dave Sepich, and Mike Hernandez. We had a great discussion. I appreciate the local community’s support of WIPP.
One of the highlights of the day was having lunch with a group of young professionals. I enjoyed hearing ideas and viewpoints from the newest members of WIPP’s workforce and about the activities they coordinate to network and give back to the Carlsbad community. Sheree Turner and Forest Queen are doing a great job as co-presidents for the Young Professionals group. Forest also shared a bit about a program, sponsored by the contractor, where young professionals have an opportunity to visit some of our other sites across the complex. Look for a story in a future EM Update on the great work being done by the Young Professionals group.
In preparation for going underground, I received miner safety training from Sam Christensen. Sam was a wonderful host. He made my WIPP EM-1 hard hat, drove me around the mine, and took wonderful photos of my visit. Thank you for that. I was outfitted in my safety gear, including the brass (accountability) piece. My tour began with a 6-minute ride 2,150 feet underground.
The first stop in the underground was Panel 8, where I had an opportunity to meet miners Blas Castaneda and Randy Wilson. They demonstrated the Continuous Miner, which can mine more than 7 tons of salt per minute with its claw-like articulating head.
Next, I learned about the bolting requirements to ensure the drifts and pathways in the mine remain stabilized. I was able to meet bolting crew members David Franco, Tommy Rascon, and Chuy Becerra, and watch a rock-bolting demonstration. I had the unique opportunity to autograph the weight-bearing steel plate that anchors the 14-foot bolt.
I met members of 2016 WIPP National Champion Mine Rescue Team and discussed the important role these highly-trained volunteers provide to WIPP and surrounding mines.
Back on the surface, I had an opportunity to learn about the National TRU Program and see a TRUPACT-II transporter that safely delivers waste from generator sites across the country. I talked with Greg Grimm, a driver from CAST Transportation, the WIPP transportation contractor. He demonstrated the capabilities of the waste transporter truck, and it was great to hear how enthusiastic he is about the work he does.
My final stop was the Waste Handling Building. I met with waste handler Terry Batchelde who explained the transuranic waste receipt process at WIPP.
I enjoyed my visit to WIPP. The site was so welcoming. Meeting with the mayor of Carlsbad and local community members, spending time in the underground, and meeting with WIPP employees helped me to understand further the importance of WIPP to the DOE complex. There is a great partnership between the CBFO federal staff and NWP staff. Working together seamlessly is what makes WIPP successful. Please continue the good work not only for the Department, but also for our nation. I’m looking forward to seeing shipments ramp up and the continued success. Thank you for a great visit.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
