The New Mexico Environment Department today (Tues. 1/31/12) denied a federal request for permission to use new lead-lined 55 gallon drums for some of the more highly radioactive waste being shipped to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
waste drums underground at WIPP
WIPP currently handles two different waste streams. Low-dose waste is shipped in ordinary steel drums, which can be handled directly by workers. Higher-dose waste must be handled by remote control, and disposed of in shielded holes drilled in the walls of WIPP’s deep underground repository.
Federal officials last fall asked for permission to mix the two waste streams by putting some of the higher-dose waste into lead-lined containers, which could then be handled the same way the low-dose containers are. But the NMED today denied the request. The denial does not close the door on the possibility, but the Environment Department said a more detailed review, likely including the possibility of public hearings, would be required before any change is permitted.
More in tomorrow’s newspaper.
-- Email the reporter at jfleck@abqjournal.com. Call the reporter at 505-823-3916
