Turk, Robertson View Cleanup Progress, New Ventilation System at WIPP

CARLSBAD, N.M. - In a recent visit to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk and DOE Office of Environmental Management Senior Advisor Candice Robertson took a tour that went 2,000 feet into Earth where transuranic waste is being emplaced in mined salt beds. The visit also included a surface tour of the new Safety Significant Confinement Ventilation System project set to come online in 2026. That system will increase airflow to the underground up to 540,000 cubic feet per minute, enhancing worker safety. Turk is picture at center in the foreground, second from right, and Robertson is pictured in the foreground, fourth from right. Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) Manager Mark Bollinger is at right of Robertson and CBFO Deputy Manager Betsy Forinash is at right of Turk. They are surrounded by employees of DOE headquarters, CBFO and WIPP management and operations contractor Salado Isolation Mining Contractors.

Salado Isolation Mining Contractors President Ken Harrawood, at center, shares updates with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk and DOE Office of Environmental Management Senior Advisor Candice Robertson at the front of Room 5, where recently received waste has been emplaced in the underground at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.

From left, Carlsbad Field Office Manager Mark Bollinger, Salado Isolation Mining Company employee Brandon Jones and U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk are pictured during a surface tour of the Safety Significant Confinement Ventilation System at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.

-Contributor: Valerie Gohlke