WIPP Road Show, Early Stops Planned in Carlsbad and Hobbs, NM

Shipments of transuranic (TRU) waste destined for the U.S Department of Energy's (DOE) Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, NM, are scheduled to resume in April 2017. These will be the first shipments received at the facility since the February 2014 incidents.

In preparation for the resumption of shipping, the DOE Carlsbad Field Office will be supporting state-sponsored road shows along the active transportation routes. The road shows give local officials and members of the public the chance to see the actual shipping package for TRU waste - the TRUPACT-II - and to understand the WIPP transportation protocols and requirements, including driver standards, package design and testing requirements, inspection procedures, and emergency response plans and equipment.

Those attending the state-sponsored event will have an opportunity to speak about WIPP and its TRU waste shipping program with TRU truck drivers, local transportation inspectors, local emergency responders and representatives from WIPP. Road shows will be presented during the month of March along transportation corridors covering New Mexico and Texas; the Southern Route (Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina) and the Western States Route (Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming) to WIPP. DOE will issue social media updates, as the dates and times for additional road shows are confirmed. Road shows confirmed for the coming week are listed below:

Carlsbad, NM
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: 2320 W. Pearce - Jenkins Home Furnishings Parking Lot

Hobbs, NM
Thursday, March 2, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: 5317 N. Lovington Highway - New Mexico Junior College

WIPP has safely transported more than 11,800 shipments to the facility, totaling more than 14 million miles. The road show will give attendees the opportunity to see the actual shipping package and become familiar with WIPP transportation protocols. Those attending will have an opportunity to speak with representatives from WIPP about the project, transportation requirements and shipping procedures. Additionally, representatives from the carriers, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, trainers from DOE's Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program and other DOE representatives will be on-site to answer questions.