THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY IS PROCEEDING WITH PLANS TO INSTALL A NEW UNDERGROUND VENTILATION SYSTEM AT THE WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO NEAR CARLSBAD. THE NEW SYSTEM WILL COST JUST UNDER 300-MILLION DOLLARS AND SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY EARLY 2021.
THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT SAYS THE VENTILATION UPGRADE WILL GREATLY INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF AIR AVAILABLE TO THE UNDERGROUND PORTION OF WIPP, WHICH WILL GIVE THE DEPARTMENT THE ABILITY TO INCREASE SHIPMENTS OF TRANSURANIC WASTE TO THE FACILITY.
