Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)
EPA ID: NM4890139088
State ID: 2394
Welcome
Welcome to the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) WIPP Hazardous Waste Bureau (HWB) web pages. This website is intended to provide the public with basic information regarding the WIPP Hazardous Waste Facility Permit.
If you are trying to contact the WIPP Facility, please refer to their contact information webpage: http://www.wipp.energy.gov/contacts.htm or call their toll-free number 1-800-336-WIPP (9477)
Information regarding the February 2014 WIPP incidents can be found at:
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) – Incident and Operations Updates
Introduction
On October 27, 1999, the NMED issued a final decision to grant a Hazardous Waste Facility Permit to the US Department of Energy (DOE) for the storage and disposal of transuranic mixed waste. DOE mixed transuranic waste (MTRU) is waste that has a hazardous component and radioactive elements heavier than uranium. Since shipments began in 1999, over 90,000 cubic meters and 12,000 shipments of waste have been shipped to and emplaced at WIPP.
NMED provides regulatory oversight of the hazardous waste facility permit to ensure compliance which includes review and issuance of permit modifications, and observation, review and approval of generator site audits.
Regulatory Authority
A dual regulatory framework exists for mixed-waste. The State of New Mexico’s authority to regulate the hazardous waste at WIPP is governed under the New Mexico Hazardous Waste Act (HWA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Under RCRA, the State of New Mexico is authorized to operate in lieu of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); EPA does not regulate radioactive mixed wastes in those States with an authorized program. New Mexico is authorized by EPA under 50 Fed Reg 1515 (January 11, 1985). New Mexico implements this authority under the HWA, NMSA 1978, §74-4-1 et seq (Repl. Pamp. 2000).
New Mexico does not have the authority to regulate the radiological aspects of the waste at WIPP. This is regulated and granted by certification by EPA’s Radiation Protection Program. EPA issued its second recertification decision for WIPP on November 18, 2010. EPA determined that the DOE WIPP facility continues to comply with the Agency’s waste disposal regulations and compliance criteria. Under this program, before DOE can dispose of waste at the WIPP, it must demonstrate that the waste has been characterized in compliance with the EPA regulations at 40 CFR 194 and meets EPA’s radioactive waste disposal standards (40 CFR 191). For more information on this aspect of the WIPP facility, please see the EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/radiation/wipp/
WIPP Permit
The current WIPP Hazardous Waste Facility Permit consists of Parts and Attachments, and is available for viewing online at the NMED WIPP Permit Page.
WIPP News
2017
December 8, 2017 – After ensuring compliance with the applicable permit modification regulations at 20.4.1.900 NMAC, incorporating 40 CFR § 270.42, NMED incorporated two Class 1 permit modifications into the Permit. The Permittees submitted these Class 1 permit modifications in October of 2017. See the Permittees’ notifications and NMED’s letter by clicking the links below.
The current Permit can found by going to the NMED WIPP Permit Page.
NMED Letter
September 19, 2017 – After ensuring compliance with the applicable permit modification regulations at 20.4.1.900 NMAC, incorporating 40 CFR § 270.42, NMED incorporated four Class 1 permit modifications into the Permit. The Permittees submitted these Class 1 permit modification requests in December of 2016 and June of 2017. See the Permittees’ notifications and NMED’s letter by clicking the links below.
The current Permit can found by going to the NMED WIPP Permit Page.
NMED Letter
December 6, 2016 Notification
December 15, 2016 Notification
June 12, 2017 Notification
June 14, 2017 Notification
2016
December 22, 2016 – The Permittees submitted a Notification of Anticipated Noncompliance with Permit Requirements regarding equipment in Room 6 of Panel 7. To view the notice please click on the following link: Notification of Anticipated Noncompliance
December 16, 2016 – The NMED conducted a hazardous waste inspection of the WIPP Facility during the week December 7, 2016. The NMED issued the following letters regarding the inspection to the WIPP Permittees (U.S. Department of Energy and Nuclear Waste Partnership).
Notice of Violation and Resolution
NMED Inspection
NMED Inspection Report
December 5, 2016: NMED approves Certification of Completion for new Emergency Operations Center at Carlsbad as first completed Supplemental Environmental Project SEP. Eight SEPs were funded by DOE in $74M settlement of New Mexico claims associated with WIPP events of 2/5/14 and 2/14/14.
November 10, 2016 – The Permittees submitted their Response to a Technical Incompleteness Determination and Revised Class 3 Permit Modification. The Permittees originally submitted this Class 3 Permit Modification in March of 2013 and NMED issued the Technical Incompleteness Determination in July of 2015.
In addition, the Permittees submitted a Request for Temporary Authorization for the above referenced Revised Class 3 Permit Modification. These documents can be found by clicking on the following links:
Technical Incompleteness Determination
Response and Revised Class 3 Permit Modification
Request For Temporary Authorization
September 19, 2016 – The NMED took final administrative action on the Class 2 Permit Modification seeking to revise the volatile organic compound monitoring procedures. NMED approved the Modification with changes. NMED’s response to comments, letters, and the applicable sections of the Permit that were modified (redline strikeout – RLSO), can be seen in by clicking on the links below.
NMED September 19, 2016 Letter
Interested Person Letter
NMED Response to Comments
Part 2 – RLSO Final
Part 4 – RLSO Final
Attachment A2 – RLSO Final
Attachment D – RLSO Final
Attachment E – RLSO Final
Attachment F – RLSO Final
Attachment F1 – RLSO Final
Attachment F2 – RLSO Final
Attachment O – RLSO Final
August 18, 2016 – After ensuring compliance with the applicable permit modification regulations at 20.4.1.900 NMAC, incorporating 40 CFR § 270.42, NMED incorporated two Class 1 permit modifications into the Permit. The Permittees submitted these Class 1 permit modification requests in February and April of 2016. See the Permittees’ notifications and NMED’s letter by clicking the links below. The current Permit can found by going to the NMED WIPP Permit Page.
NMED Letter
February 17, 2016 Notification
April 27, 2016 Notification
August 9, 2016 – The Permittees submitted a Class 2 modification request to the WIPP Hazardous Waste Facility Permit on June 3, 2016. The Permittees subsequently published a public notice on June 8, 2016 regarding submission of the Class 2 Request (see news for June 3, 2016 below). This publication started a 60-day public comment period which ended on August 8, 2016. NMED received public comment that can be found at the following link- Public Comments
NMED will consider the public comment received for its final determination on the Class 2 modification.
June 3, 2016- The Permittees submitted a Class 2 permit modification for public review and comment in accordance with the regulations at 20.4.1.900 NMAC, incorporating 40 CFR § 270.42. The permit modification consist of the following two items: Revise the RCRA Contingency Plan and Associated Emergency Response Personnel Training; and Active Room Ventilation Flow Rate. NMED will review and respond to comments received during the public comment period. A copy of the permit modification request could be found by clicking the following link: June 2016 Class 2 Permit Modification. Additional information on the modification can be found by clicking on the following link: June 2016 Class 2 Public Notice.
January 27, 2016 – After ensuring compliance with the applicable permit modification regulations at 20.4.1.900 NMAC, incorporating 40 CFR § 270.42, NMED incorporated several Class 1 permit modifications into the Permit. The Permittees submitted these Class 1 permit modification requests between June 2015 and December 2015. See the Permittees’ notifications and NMED’s letter by clicking the links below. The current Permit can found by going to the NMED WIPP Permit Page.
NMED Letter
Permittee Notifications of:
June 11, 2015
June 29, 2015
August 17, 2015
August 27, 2015
September 15, 2015
September 30, 2015
October 8, 2015
December 30, 2015
January 22, 2016 – NMED and the Permittees (U.S. Department of Energy and Nuclear Waste Partnership) signed the Settlement Agreement and Stipulated Final Order for the purpose of resolving Compliance Order No. HWB-14-21 that was issued by NMED on December 6, 2014 as a result of the February 2014 events. Also, the settlement for Los Alamos National Laboratory was signed on the same date to resolve the State of New Mexico Environment Department’s claims against DOE and its contractors.
January 8, 2016 – The NMED took final administrative action on the Class 2 Permit Modification seeking to revise the volatile organic compound monitoring procedures. NMED approved the Modification with changes. The applicable sections of the Permit that were modified can be seen in redline strikeout (RLSO) by clicking on the links below.
NMED January 8, 2016 Letter
Interested Person Letter
NMED Response to Comments
Part 4 – RLSO Final
Attachment A2 – RLSO Final
Attachment G – RLSO Final
Attachment H – RLSO Final
Attachment N – RLSO Final
Attachment O – RLSO Final
2015
December 15, 2015– NMED completed the Five-Year Permit Review of the WIPP Hazardous Waste Facility Permit per Permit Part 1, Section 1.3.3. This Permit section states, “ The Secretary shall review this Permit no later than five (5) years after the effective date of this Permit, and shall modify this Permit as necessary pursuant to Section 74-4-4.2 of the HWA and 20.4.1.900 NMAC (incorporating 40 CFR §270.41). Such modification(s) shall not extend the effective term of this Permit specified in Permit Section 1.7.2. [20.4.1.900 NMAC (incorporating 40 CFR §§270.41 and 270.50(b) and (d))]”. The review can be found by click the following link- WIPP Five-Year Permit Review.
December 3, 2015 – Notification has been sent to the Permittees that NMED will make its decision on the September 9, 2015 Class 2 modification request no later than January 8, 2016. The notification letter can be found at the following link: Notification of Extension.
September 8, 2015 – The Permittees submitted a Class 2 modification request to the WIPP Hazardous Waste Facility Permit requesting to “Revise Volatile Organic Compound Monitoring Procedures”. On September 12, 2015 the Permittees issued a public notice that NMED would accept comments for 60 days, until November 11, 2015. NMED received public comment that can be found at the following link – Public Comments on WIPP VOC Class 2 modification – 2015
NMED will consider the public comment received for its final determination on the Class 2 modification.
April 30, 2015: New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz released the terms of a $74 million settlement of the State’s claims against the Department of Energy (DOE) and its contractors related to the February 2014 incidents at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico, including the associated activities at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).
March 4, 2015 – After ensuring compliance with the applicable permit modification regulations at 20.4.1.900 NMAC, incorporating 40 CFR § 270.42, NMED incorporated two Class 1 permit modifications into the Permit. The Permittees submitted these Class 1 permit modification requests on November 7, 2014, and February 13, 2015. See the Permittees’ notifications and NMED’s letters by clicking the links below. The current Permit can found by going to the NMED WIPP Permit Page.
WIPP – November 7, 2014 Permittee Notification
NMED March 4, 2015 Letter
WIPP – February 13, 2015 Permittee Notification
NMED March 4, 2015 Letter
2014
December 6, 2014 – NEMD issued Compliance Order No. HWB-14-21 to WIPP as a result of the February 2014 events for violations of the Hazardous Waste Act, the Hazardous Waste Management Regulations and the Facility RCRA Permit.
May 20, 2014 – NMED issued Administrative Order #3 as a result of the February 2014 events for the isolation of Nitrate Salt Bearing Waste Containers at WIPP.
May 12, 2014 – NMED issued Administrative Order #2 as a result of the February 2014 events to address the underground WIPP Permit requirements.
March 21, 2014 – The NMED is withdrawing the draft Permit for the Class 3 modification public noticed on February 14, 2014.
Public Notice – English
Public Notice – Spanish
Letter to Permittees (Department of Energy and Nuclear Waste Partnerships, LLC)
March 17, 2014 – The NMED has received the first weekly report required by the February 27, 2014 Administrative Order. Documents will be posted on the NMED WIPP Incident Webpage: /NMED/Issues/WIPP2014.html.
March 12, 2014 – The NMED has a new information webpage addressing the February 2014 Underground Salt Truck Fire and Radionuclide Release Events. It is located at: /NMED/Issues/WIPP2014.html. Relevant documents will be posted there.
March 7, 2014 – The HWB WIPP Group has been assisting with the Radiological Release Event including review of the Exhaust Filter Building operation and the associated Documented Safety Analysis (DSA).
Link to WIPP Documented Safety Analysis
March 4, 2014 – The New Mexico Environment Department issued an Administrative Order to the WIPP facility on February 27, 2014:
Administrative Order Issued February 27, 2014
DOE Letter to NMED February 26, 2014
February 27, 2014 – NMED issued Administrative Order #1 as a result of the February 2014 events to address the aboveground WIPP Permit requirements and storage of TRU mixed waste.
February 14 , 2014 – The New Mexico Environment Department is begining a 60 day public comment period for a DRAFT Class 3 Permit Modification.
The following documents are available for downloading:
Interested Person Letter and Public Notice – English
Interested Person Letter and Public Notice – Spanish
Fact Sheet
DRAFT Permit (Zipped File)
The Permit Modification Request
Index to the Administrative Record
Administrative Record (Very Large Zipped File)
2013
September 20, 2013 – The New Mexico Environment Department took final action on an annual permit-based on-site inspection of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Hazardous Waste Facility Permit by determining the facility has been operating in full compliance within the Permit.
2012 Annual Inspection Letter sent to Permittees on September 20, 2013
The New Mexico Environment Department also issued a Technical Incompleteness Determination for the 3 Item Class 3 Permit Modification Request received on March 18, 2013. A copy of the determination can be found at:
Technical Incompleteness Determination sent to Permittees on September 20, 2013
July 2, 2013 – The New Mexico Environment Department took final administrative action on how it will process the Class 2 permit modification request that was submitted on April 9, 2013.
Final Determination Letter sent to Permittees on July 2, 2013
A copy of the press release can be found at:
/OOTS/documents/PR070813WIPPPermitModificationRequestElevatedToClass3.pdf
April 9, 2013 – NMED received a Class 2 permit modification request.
NMED will be receiving and reviewing comments during the public comment period. Please review NMED’s regulatory authority when commenting and note that although we care about all aspects of WIPP, comments regarding issues outside the state’s authority cannot be considered when taking action.
A copy of the permit modification request can be found at: http://www.wipp.energy.gov/library/Information_Repository_A/Class_2_Permit_Modifications/13-0727_ENCL.pdf
March 20, 2013 – NMED received a Class 3 permit modification request.
NMED will be receiving and reviewing comments during the public comment period. Please review NMED’s regulatory authority when commenting and note that although we care about all aspects of WIPP, comments regarding issues outside the state’s authority cannot be considered when taking action.
A copy of the permit modification request can be found at: http://www.wipp.energy.gov/library/Information_Repository_A/Class_3_Permit_Modifications/13-0718.pdf
March 13, 2013 – NMED issued a Final Determination on a Class 2 permit modification request (PMR) to the WIPP Permit. The PMR included a request to revise the waste analysis characterization methods. After a technical review and consideration of all public comment, NMED approved the modification with changes.
Final Determination Letter sent to Permittees (March 13, 2013)
Specific Comments Responses (March 13, 2013)
NMED Press Release regarding this permit issuance (March 14, 2013)
The Permit was modified as a result of this administrative action.
January 24, 2013 – NMED presented a PowerPoint at the WIPP Quarterly meeting in Santa Fe. See the PowerPoint
Link to NMED’s Press Release regarding the November 1, 2012 PMR issuance.
2012
November 27, 2012 – NMED issued a Final Determination on a Class 2 permit modification request (PMR) to the WIPP Permit dated November 1, 2012. NMED has since identified a typographical error to the modified permit and corrected this. For more information, see the Clarification Letter sent to Permittees (November 27, 2012).
The Permit was corrected as a result of this.
Go to the NMED WIPP Permit Page for the current version of the Permit.
November 1, 2012 – NMED issued a Final Determination on a Class 2 permit modification request (PMR) to the WIPP Permit dated July 5, 2012. The PMR included requests to add a shielded container option. After a technical review and consideration of all public comment, NMED approved the modification with changes.
Final Determination Letter sent to Permittees (November 1, 2012)
Specific Comments Responses (November 1, 2012)
The Permit was modified as a result of this administrative action.
October 25 , 2012 – NMED presented a PowerPoint at the WIPP Quarterly meeting in Albuquerque. See the PowerPoint
July 19 , 2012 – NMED presented a PowerPoint at the WIPP Quarterly meeting in Santa Fe. See the PowerPoint
July 5, 2012 – NMED received a Class 2 permit modification request to add an option to use a new shielded container for managing Remote-Handled (RH) transuranic (TRU) mixed waste as Contact-Handled (CH) TRU mixed waste, change the description of how the volume of RH TRU mixed waste disposed in the shielded containers will be tracked and make changes related to waste handing descriptions. The shielded container will be used to package waste that is already approved for shipment to WIPP and when packaged will meet the surface dose requirements of the CH TRU mixed waste.
NMED will be receiving and reviewing comments during the public comment period. Please review NMED’s regulatory authority when commenting and note that although we care about all aspects of WIPP, comments regarding issues outside the state’s authority cannot be considered when taking action.
A copy of the permit modification request can be found at: http://www.wipp.energy.gov/library/Information_Repository_A/Class_2_Permit_Modifications/Class_2_Shielded_Container_7-5-12.pdf
April 13, 2012 – NMED issued an audit approval letter for Savannah River Site – Central Characterization Projecjet Audit A-12-04. See the Letter
April 12, 2012 – NMED presented a PowerPoint at the WIPP Quarterly meeting in Carlsbad. See the PowerPoint
February 6, 2012 – NMED issued a Final Determination on a Class 2 permit modification request (PMR) to the WIPP Permit dated September 29, 2011. NMED has since been notified and has identified several non-substantive typographical errors to the modified permit and corrected these on February 6, 2013. For more information, see the Typographic Correction Letter sent to Permittees (February 6, 2012).
The Permit was corrected as a result of this.
Go to the NMED WIPP Permit Page for the current version of the Permit.
January 31, 2012 – NMED issued a Final Determination on a Class 2 permit modification request (PMR) to the WIPP Permit dated September 29, 2011. The PMR included requests to update ventilation language, add a shielded container option and revise the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) groundwater detection monitoring program plan. After a technical review and consideration of all public comment, NMED approved two parts of the modification with changes and denied the shielded container portion of the modification request.
Final Determination letter sent to Permittees (January 31, 2012)
Specific Comments Response letter (January 31, 2012)
The Permit was modified as a result of this administrative action.
2011
April 15, 2011 – NMED issued a Final Determination on a Class 2 permit modification request (PMR) to the WIPP Permit submitted by the Permittees on January 11, 2011. The PMR included requests to add the TRUPACT-III as a shipping package, add the Standard Large Box 2 (SLB2) as a storage and disposal container, add Room 108 and Airlock 107 as part of the Contact-Handled Bay in the Waste Handling Building Storage Unit, and add equipment to the facility to allow for the handling of the TRUPACT-III and SLB2. After considering all public comment, NMED approved the modification with changes.
Final Determination letter sent to Permittees
Letter (April 18, 2011) sent to the WIPP mailing list
Specific Comments Response letter (April 18, 2011)
The Permit was modified as a result of this administrative action. Go to the NMED WIPP Permit Page for the current version of the Permit.
2010
November 30, 2010 – NMED Secretary Ron Curry issued a final decision to renew the Hazardous Waste Facility Permit for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). A copy of the Secretary’s decision is available on the NMED WIPP Permit Page, along with the Hearing Officer’s report and NMED’s response to written comments received on the draft permit and oral comments provided at the public hearing. Here is the press release accompanying the Secretary’s final order.
July 27, 2010 – NMED is posting all comments on the draft Hazardous Waste Facility Permit that were received by the close of the public comment period. Click the name of the commenter on the Commenter List to view their comment.
July 2, 2010 – NMED issued a Final Determination on a Class 2 PMR to the WIPP Permit submitted by the Permittees on April 14, 2010. The PMR included a request to revise volatile organic compound concentrations of concern and update these values using current EPA IRIS data. After considering all public comment, NMED approved the modification with changes. The revised permit also incorporated a Class 1 modification that the Permittees had previously implemented.
Final Determination letter sent to Permittees
Letter (July 12, 2010) sent to the WIPP mailing list
Specific Comments Response letter (July 12, 2010)
June 30, 2010 – NMED concluded discussions on June 29, 2010 with interested individuals and groups who submitted preliminary comments on the April 27, 2010 draft Hazardous Waste Facility Permit. These discussions were conducted pursuant to 20.4.1.901.A(4) NMAC, which states that the NMED, in conjunction with the applicants, must respond to requests for hearings and notices of opposition to draft permits issued under the State Hazardous Waste Act in an effort to resolve those issues that gave rise to the hearing request(s).
NMED filed on June 30, 2010 a notice with the hearing clerk that included a stipulation on changes to language in the draft Permit following a month of discussions. Participants in these discussions agreed on a broad range of issues related to waste characterization, the respective roles and responsibilities of DOE and the WIPP contractor, requirements for an information repository and community relations plan, additional e-mail notification requirements, and expanded public involvement in the acceptable knowledge sufficiency determination process. Other participants agreed to some issues while preserving their right to challenge specific areas of disagreement at the public hearing.
These agreements do not limit any person’s ability to participate in the public hearings scheduled in Santa Fe, NM August 9 through August 20 and in Carlsbad on August 16, as noticed below. NMED is offering members of the public an opportunity to review these proposed language changes to the draft Permit before the hearing and to participate in the negotiation process:
Stipulation on changes to language in the draft Permit – contains the notice filed with the hearing officer, the agreement reached by participants in the discussions, and the exceptions to the agreement by some of the participants.
Revised Draft Permit with language changes – parts and attachments to the April 27, 2010 draft Permit, with all additional changes made as a result of discussions indicated in yellow highlight. The individual files in Adobe Reader PDF format are available for download here.
Updated – July 20. 2010 Index to the Administrative Record (Correspondence and Documents)
June 4, 2010 – NMED published a notice announcing a public hearing on the draft Hazardous Waste Facility Permit issued on April 27, 2010. The Notice provides information on how to submit public comment and the public hearing process. Public comment will be received through the end of the public hearing. The public hearing on the draft Permit will begin Monday, August 9, 2010 and continue as necessary through Friday, August 20, 2010. The public hearing will be held at the Santa Fe Community College located at 6401 S. Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87508, in the Board Room (Room 223), with one day for non-technical oral public comment in Carlsbad, NM on Monday, August 16, 2010 at 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Best Western Stevens Inn located at 1829 S. Canal Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220. The following documents are available for public review:
Public Notice – describes details concerning the hearing locations and schedule, the procedures by which public comment and technical testimony will be received, the procedure for issuance of the final permit decision, arrangements for persons with disabilities, and availability of additional information.
Interested Person Letter sent to the WIPP Mailing List
The public comment period is extended to the end of the hearing.
April 27, 2010 – NMED published notice of a public comment period of its intent to issue a renewal hazardous waste facility permit to WIPP to manage, store, and dispose of transuranic (TRU) mixed waste. The draft Permit, when finalized, would allow WIPP to continue hazardous waste management operations in much the same manner as those authorized by the existing Permit, such as: requiring generator/storage sites to implement applicable waste characterization requirements prior to the receipt of TRU mixed waste at WIPP; conducting waste characterization audits at generator storage sites to ensure their implementation of and compliance with applicable requirements; safely managing, storing, and disposing contact-handled and remote-handled TRU mixed waste upon receipt at WIPP; performing required environmental monitoring of air and groundwater at WIPP to ensure protection of human health and the environment; closing all permitted storage and disposal units following final receipt of waste; conducting required post-closure care activities after final closure of WIPP; and complying with corrective action requirements related to any release of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents from the Facility.
The following documents are available online for public review:
Interested Person Letter and Public Notice – discusses background and administrative history, public review of the draft Permit, public hearing, public comment, procedure of issuance of final permit decision, arrangements for persons with disabilities, and additional information
Fact Sheet – discusses background, administrative history, permit modification request summary, proposed action in draft Permit, availability of additional information, public comment and request for hearing, and final decision
Draft Permit – includes all Parts and Attachments for the renewal Permit. The individual files in Adobe Reader PDF format are available for download here.
Administrative Record Index
The 60-day public comment period ends June 28, 2010.
April 1, 2010 – NMED issued a Final Determination on a Class 2 permit modification request (PMR) to the WIPP Permit submitted by the Permittees on January 7, 2010. The PMR included requests to change or clarify language and requirements associated with the liquid prohibition in the WIPP waste acceptance criteria; change or clarify language and requirements associated with the visual examination of waste; and change language requiring nonconformances written on a waste container to be dispositioned before shipment to WIPP. After considering all public comment, NMED approved the modification with changes.
Final Determination letter sent to Permittees
General Comments Response letter (April 8, 2010) sent to the WIPP mailing list
Specific Comments Response letter (April 8, 2010)
The Permit was modified as a result of this administrative action. Go to the NMED WIPP Permit Page for the current version of the Permit.
WIPP News prior to above please click on the links below.
2004 to 2009 WIPP News
1998 to 2003 WIPP News
Mailing Lists
NMED is required by regulation to maintain a facility mailing list. Both NMED and the Permittees use this list to inform interested members of the public regarding public comment periods for permit modification requests and draft permits, final NMED administrative actions on permit decisions, etc. If you wish to add your name to NMED’s WIPP mailing list, send e-mail to Pam Allen. Please include your name, physical mailing address (street address, PO Box, etc.), phone number, and organization, if any.
The Permittees are required by Permit Condition 1.11 to maintain an e-mail notification list. The Permittees use this list to notify members of the public concerning actions identified by the Permit, such as reporting planned changes, reporting anticipated noncompliance, submittal of an issue for dispute resolution, etc. If you wish to add your name to the Permittees’ e-mail notification list, go to the Permittees’ WIPP Home Page, click the link that says “Stakeholder Notification”, and follow the directions on the page.
2905 Rodeo Park Drive East, Building 1
Santa Fe, 87505
Phone: (505) 476-6000
Fax: (505) 476-6030
