2017 WIPP Updates
September UpdatesAugust Updates
July Updates
June Updates
April Updates
- April 20, 2017 - WIPP's Mine Rescue Team Wins Competition
- April 10, 2017 - WIPP Receives First Shipment Since Reopening
February Updates
- February 27, 2017 - WIPP Road Show, Early Stops Planned in Carlsbad and Hobbs, NM
- February 14, 2017 - WIPP Releases Preliminary Shipping Estimates
2016 WIPP Updates
December Updates- December 30, 2016 - Jeff Carswell Selected as CBFO Deputy Manager
- December 23, 2016 - WIPP Authorized to Resume Waste Emplacement
- December 07, 2016 - DORR Team Provides Preliminary Report
- December 01, 2016 - Ground Control Progress in Panel 7
- November 15, 2016 - DOE Begins Operational Readiness Review
- November 08, 2016 - Work Resumes at WIPP
- November 04, 2016 - Rock Fall Confirmed in Panel 7, Room 4
- November 03, 2016 - Rock Fall Causes Precautionary Evacuation of WIPP Underground
- October 14, 2016 - Plans Call for Controlled Withdrawal from South End of Underground
- October 07, 2016 - Updates on Ground Control Activities
- October 05, 2016 - Ground Control Review Identifies Additional Rock Fall
- October 03, 2016 - Ground Control Review Underway Following Rock Fall
- July 29, 2016 - WIPP Mine Rescue Team Wins Field Competition at National Championship
- July 28, 2016 - WIPP Begins Preliminary Work on New Permanent Ventilation System
- July 22, 2016 - Backup Power Installed for WIPP EOC
- July 15, 2016 - Status Update on WIPP Restart
- July 11, 2016 - IN MEMORIAM: Dr. Abraham (Abe) Van Luik (1944-2016)
- July 06, 2016 - Annual Exercise Tests WIPP Emergency Response Capabilities
- June 30, 2016 - New Waste Acceptance Criteria Released
- June 28, 2016 - WIPP to Hold Public Meetings on Permit Modification Request
- June 22, 2016 - Prestart Activities Begin at WIPP
- June 02, 2016 - DSA Implemented and Cold Operations Begin
- May 24, 2016 - WIPP Firefighters Complete Fire Training
- May 03, 2016 - Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) Approved
- April 15, 2016 - WIPP Blue Mine Rescue Team Wins Local Competition
- April 07, 2016 - DOE, State Officials Cut Ribbon for New WIPP Emergency Operations Center
- March 31, 2016 - WIPP Installs Underground Personnel Notification and Tracking System
- March 28, 2016 - WIPP Ends Safety Pause
- March 17, 2016 - Video Highlights Accomplishments, Path Forward for WIPP
- March 03, 2016 - Interim Ventilation System Tie-in Completed
January Updates
- January 29, 2016 - Respiratory Protection Requirements Reduced in Parts of WIPP Underground
- January 21, 2016 - Revised Schedule for Resumption of Operations in 2016 Announced
2015 WIPP Updates
December Updates- December 10, 2015 - WIPP Workers Perform Filter Replacement
- December 04, 2015 - Ground Control Progress Continues at WIPP
- November 24, 2015 - Addition of Safe Havens Increases WIPP Underground Safety
- November 12, 2015 - WIPP Conducts Limited Scope Performance Tests
- October 22, 2015 - WIPP Interim Ventilation System Continues to Progress
- October 15, 2015 - WIPP Completes State of the Art Emergency Operations Center
- October 08, 2015 - WIPP’s Mine Rescue Team Wins Top Honors at National Competition
- October 01, 2015 - WIPP First Responders Earn Advanced Training Certifications
- September 24, 2015 - WIPP Concludes Zone Recovery Activities for Panel 7 Disposal Pathway
- September 17, 2015 - WIPP Conducts Annual Full Scale Emergency Response Exercise
- September 10, 2015 - WIPP Supplemental Ventilation System
- August 31, 2015 - DOE Announces New Manager for the Carlsbad Field Office
- August 20, 2015 - New Hybrid Bolting Machine Ready for Service
- August 13, 2015 - Progress Continues on Mitigation of Radiological Contamination
- August 06, 2015 - WIPP Hosts Fire Protection and Emergency Response Workshop
- August 05, 2015 - WIPP Activates Emergency Operations Center
- July 31, 2015 - WIPP Announces Schedule Changes for Resumption of Operations
- July 09, 2015 - Supplemental Ventilation System Arrives at WIPP
- June 29, 2015 - Bryson Named Acting Manager for CBFO
- June 18, 2015 - Breidenbach officially takes over as NWP President & Project Manager
- June 11, 2015 - Senior DOE Officials Return to WIPP
- May 28, 2015 - WIPP Successfully Completes ISO 14001 Certification
- May 21, 2015 - Work Begins on Interim Ventilation System
- May 14, 2015 - Initial Closure of Panel 6 Complete with Work in Panel 7, Room 7, in Process
- May 07, 2015 - NMED Approves Transuranic Waste Storage Extension
- April 30, 2015 - New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez and U.S Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz Announce ...
- April 23, 2015 - WIPP Mine Rescue Team Members Train in Smoke-Filled Environment
- April 16, 2015 - DOE Issues WIPP Radiological Release Phase II Investigation Report
- April 09, 2015 - Initial Closure of Panel 6 Underway
- April 02, 2015 - Technical Assessment Team issues final report
- March 19, 2015 - WIPP Is Center Stage at Waste Management Conference
- March 13, 2015 - WIPP Begins Underground Decontamination Activities
- March 05, 2015 - MOD Filter Replacements Completed Successfully
- February 26, 2015 - WIPP Hosts All-Hazards Planning Meeting
- February 19, 2015 - WIPP Receives New Emergency Response Vehicle
- February 12, 2015 - AIB: No Additional Breached Containers Contributed to WIPP Radiological Release
- February 05, 2015 - Project Reach Completes Photographic Work in Room 7, Panel 7
- January 21, 2015 - Roof Separation Highlights Bolting Priority
- January 15, 2015 - WIPP Hosts Stakeholder Workshop
- January 05, 2015 - DOE Issues Safety Assessments for Diesel-Operated Equipment Underground at WIPP
2014 WIPP Updates
December Updates- December 22, 2014 - False Radiological Alarm in WIPP Underground
- December 18, 2014 - CEMRC Releases Final Summary Report on WIPP
- December 09, 2014 - WIPP Employees Encounter Odor While Monitoring Waste Containers
- December 04, 2014 - CBFO Selects Senior WIPP Recovery Manager
- November 19, 2014 - Significant Activities Resume This Week at WIPP
- November 13, 2014 - Drill Program Ensures Emergency Preparedness
- November 06, 2014 - WIPP Reports Air Monitoring Results Following Fan Restart
- October 28, 2014 - WIPP Continues to Restore Activities Underground
- October 23, 2014 - WIPP Ventilation Fan Restarted
- October 21, 2014 - First Liquid-Fueled Vehicle Returned to Service in WIPP Underground
- October 17, 2014 - Head of EM Visits WIPP for First Underground Tour Since February Incidents
- October 07, 2014 - WIPP's Primary Hoist Begins Inspection Processes
- October 03, 2014 - Progress Continues in Restoring WIPP Underground
- September 30, 2014 - DOE Releases WIPP Recovery Plan
- September 23, 2014 - WIPP Facilities Mostly Unscathed as SE New Mexico Deals with Hurricane Odile
- September 19, 2014 - No Second Release at WIPP
- September 12, 2014 - Waste Hoist Transformer Replacement
- September 09, 2014 - Additional Areas Cleared in WIPP Underground Facility
- September 05, 2014 - Personnel Completing Preparations for Underground Facility Rock Bolting Activities
- September 02, 2014 - Current WIPP Status
- August 26, 2014 - Workers Establish Access to North Experimental Area
- August 22, 2014 - Additional Samples Taken from WIPP Underground Facility
- August 19, 2014 - Underground Facility Entry Requirements Modified at WIPP
- August 15, 2014 - Town Hall Video, Additional Photos of Secretary's Visit Posted
- August 12, 2014 - Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz Visits WIPP
- August 08, 2014 - Laboratory Accreditation Program Conducted Assessment of WIPP
- August 05, 2014 - Safety Enhancements Continue at WIPP
- July 29, 2014 - Shaft Inspections Performed Weekly
- July 28, 2014 - MSHA Performs WIPP Inspection
- July 22, 2014 - Entries into WIPP Underground Resume
- July 18, 2014 - WIPP to Reduce Transportation Contract Drivers
- July 15, 2014 - Waste Hoist Cleaning Nears Completion
- July 11, 2014 - Project Reach Investigation Continues in Room 7
- July 08, 2014 - Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board
- July 01, 2014 - WIPP Recovery Moves into Phase Two Activities
- June 27, 2014 - Plans Ongoing to Evaluate All Drums in Panel 7, Room 7
- June 24, 2014 - Filter Replacement Activities Complete
- June 20, 2014 - Filter Replacement Complete in First Unit
- June 17, 2014 - Filter Replacement Activities Progressing as Planned
- June 13, 2014 - Filter Replacement Activities Continue Smoothly
- June 10, 2014 - Filter Replacement Activities Begin
- June 06, 2014 - Work Continues to Obtain Video Footage in Room 7
- June 04, 2014 - WIPP Updates to be Published Twice a Week
- June 03, 2014 - Shafts Temporarily Covered
- June 02, 2014 - Samples Collected from WIPP Underground
- May 30, 2014 - Tests Begin in Preparation for Filter Change Out
- May 29, 2014 - Workers Adjust Ventilation in WIPP Underground
- May 28, 2014 - Corrective Action Plans Key for WIPP Recovery Effort
- May 27, 2014 - Waste Control Specialists Continues Precautionary Measures
- May 23, 2014 - Re-Entry Team Continues Investigation in Panel 7
- May 22, 2014 - Frequently Asked Questions
- May 21, 2014 - WIPP Reviewing NMED Administrative Order
- May 20, 2014 - WIPP Continues Investigation of Disrupted Waste Disposal Room
- May 19, 2014 - Labs Investigate Drum Content
- May 16, 2014 - New Information Provided about Possible Contributor to the WIPP Radiological Event
- May 15, 2014 - WIPP Event Bioassay Testing Program Comes to a Close
- May 14, 2014 - WIPP Personnel Upgrading Safety Programs
- May 13, 2014 - Venting of All Waste Containers Is Required Before Disposal at WIPP
- May 12, 2014 - Latest Underground Entry Reveals More Information About Event
- May 09, 2014 - Current Status at WIPP
- May 08, 2014 - Evaluation of WIPP Radiological Protection Program Underway
- May 07, 2014 - Answers to Previous Town Hall Questions Provided
- May 06, 2014 - Recovery Progress Deliberate, Safe
- May 05, 2014 - Samples Sent to National Laboratories for Analysis
- May 03, 2014 - The WIPP Underground Ventilation System
- May 02, 2014 - Correcting News Reports on Magnesium Oxide Usage at WIPP
- May 01, 2014 - Re-Entry Personnel Confirm Damage to Magnesium Oxide Bags
- April 30, 2014 - WIPP Conducts Re-Entry Today
- April 29, 2014 - Laboratory Tests Salt Decontamination Methods
- April 28, 2014 - WIPP Preparing for Future Entries
- April 26, 2014 - The Science of WIPP
- April 25, 2014 - Workers Return to WIPP Site
- April 24, 2014 - DOE Issues WIPP Radiological Release Investigation Report
- April 23, 2014 - Re-Entry Teams Access Room 7
- April 22, 2014 - WIPP's Waste Disposal Panels
- April 21, 2014 - Filter Bank Mock-Up Complete, HEPA Filters Arriving on Site
- April 19, 2014 - Robots from Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories on Standby
- April 18, 2014 - Town Hall Questions Answered
- April 17, 2014 - WIPP Recovery Team Assembled
- April 16, 2014 - Re-Entry Teams Continue to Advance Closer to WIPP Waste Disposal Area
- April 15, 2014 - Truck Fire Corrective Action Plan Submitted to Carlsbad Field Office
- April 14, 2014 - Phase 3 Activities Begin
- April 12, 2014 - CEMRC: WIPP Contamination Below Minimum Detectable Concentrations
- April 11, 2014 - CEMRC Press Release
- April 11, 2014 - DOE Installing Additional Air Sampling Units
- April 10, 2014 - New Environmental Sampling Data Shows No Detectable Contamination
- April 09, 2014 - Waste Hoist Tower Cleanup Underway
- April 08, 2014 - Los Alamos Shipments to Waste Control Specialists
- April 07, 2014 - EPA to Install Additional Air Monitors
- April 06, 2014 - Community Meetings Scheduled
- April 05, 2014 - Town Hall Questions Answered
- April 04, 2014 - Base of Operations Established Closer to Expected Event Source
- April 03, 2014 - Re-Entry Paves Way for Future Work Underground
- April 02, 2014 - First Underground Re-Entry Complete
- April 01, 2014 - Delay in Delivery of Protective Equipment Postpones Personnel Re-Entry
- March 31, 2014 - Underground Re-Entry Scheduled for Tomorrow
- March 30, 2014 - Community Meetings Scheduled
- March 29, 2014 - Seven Activities to Recovery and Re-Entry
- March 28, 2014 - Aerosol Test for HEPA Filters Complete
- March 27, 2014 - New Sampling Plan Establishes 10 Additional Locations
- March 26, 2014 - Air Intake and Salt Shaft Inspections Complete
- March 25, 2014 - HEPA Filter Test Moves Forward
- March 24, 2014 - Preparations for Underground Re-Entry Continue
- March 23, 2014 - Town Hall Questions Answered
- March 22, 2014 - WIPP Employees Train for First Entry Underground Since Release
- March 21, 2014 - Testing WIPP Ventilation System Filter Banks Is Scheduled
- March 20, 2014 - Texas Facility to Temporarily Store Los Alamos Waste
- March 19, 2014 - First Step to Replace WIPP HEPA Filters
- March 18, 2014 - New Air Sampling Data Shows Small Release, But No Health Impacts
- March 17, 2014 - Internet Rumors About Safety Concerns Are Inaccurate
- March 16, 2014 - Town Hall Questions Answered
- March 15, 2014 - Town Hall Questions Answered
- March 14, 2014 - March 13 Carlsbad Town Hall Meeting Summary
- March 13, 2014 - Accident Investigation Board to Issue WIPP Fire Report March 14
- March 12, 2014 - Next Set of Bioassay Results Anticipated March 19
- March 11, 2014 - Data Show Filtration System Worked
- March 10, 2014 - Planning Continues for Manned Entry
- March 09, 2014 - Underground Recovery Process Begins