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Thursday, July 24, 2008

Around New Mexico



       WIPP Shipments Still on Hold
    Radioactive waste shipments from Los Alamos to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant will remain on hold at least until next week, a Department of Energy official said Wednesday.
    DOE halted shipments last month after a waste drum containing liquids was inadvertently shipped to WIPP.
    Located near Carlsbad, WIPP is 2,150-foot deep mine dug for the disposal of radioactive waste. Liquids are prohibited at WIPP because of potential risks.
    The Department of Energy believes it has fixed the problems that allowed the mistaken shipment, according to Casey Gadbury, director of the waste program at WIPP.
    But the federal Environmental Protection Agency is still reviewing the incident and won't give the green light for shipments to resume until next week.
    Inmates Accused of Assault
    SANTA FE — An inmate was taken to a Santa Fe hospital Wednesday after being assaulted by two other inmates at the state penitentiary, authorities said.
    The state Corrections Department and State Police were investigating.
    Inmates Francisco Martinez and Robert Young are accused of assaulting Andrew Esquivel with homemade weapons in one of the prison's recreation areas. Authorities said the incident was quelled within minutes, and Esquivel's injuries were not life-threatening.
    Martinez is serving a life sentence for murder, kidnapping and other charges, while Young is serving a 20-year sentence for attempted second-degree murder. Esquivel is serving 14 years for armed robbery and voluntary manslaughter.