THE WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR ALMOST TWO AND A HALF YEARS FOLLOWING A RADIATION LEAK. FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE TO RESUME OPERATIONS BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
BUT DON HANCOCK WITH THE SOUTHWEST RESEARCH AND INFORMATION CENTER IN ALBUQUERQUE THINKS THAT’S UNREALISTIC. HE TELLS 770 KKOB VENTILATION IN THE UNDERGROUND FACILITY IS STILL LACKING. HE SAYS MINES NEED ADEQUATE VENTILATION FOR ANYTHING … AND RADIOACTIVE MINES LIKE WIPP NEED IT OR IT’S NOT SAFE FOR THE WORKERS.
HANCOCK SAYS HE BELIEVES THE FEDS ARE MOVING UP THE TIMETABLE SO ENERGY SECRETARY ERNEST MONIZ CAN SAY WIPP HAS REOPENED BEFORE HE LEAVES OFFICE NEXT YEAR.
