WIPP Agency-Initiated Modification Draft Permit

We support the modification permit proposed by NMED. DOE has not fulfulled its promises. Legacy waste currently stored above ground at LANL needs to be buried at WIPP as originally intended.. 

We are afraid that there will be a push to prioritize the ...↓new waste generated by increased Pit Production instead of cleaning up the Cold War waste which currently puts us all at risk in the event of a wildfire or other natural disaster. Thank you, Edith Homans and Andrew Davis..Santa Fe

I'm writing in support of the WIPP Agency-Initiated Modification Draft Permit as proposed by NMED for the

following reasons:

• DOE's irresponsible storage of legacy waste threatens the health and safety of people and their property in

several states.

• The proposed permit modifications are needed because DOE is not fulfilling its legal agreements.

Thank you for considering my comments.

To whom it may concern,

I'm writing in support of the WIPP Agency-Initiated Modification Draft Permit as proposed by NMED for the

following reasons:

DOE's irresponsible storage of legacy waste threatens the health and safety of people and their property...↓ in

several states.

The proposed permit modifications are needed because DOE is not fulfilling its legal agreements.

I am also including this letter to the editor, Santa Fe New Mexican, of which I am in complete agreement:

"here are two opposing views whether the New Mexico Environment Department should modify the permit that allows the Department of Energy to operate the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. By modifying the permit, the state NMED forces the federal DOE to do what it always agreed to, move Cold War "legacy" waste to WIPP, where it's safer underground. DOE failed to move this waste because it improperly handled it when it was made. It will, therefore, take extra time, workers, and equipment to get it ready to ship to WIPP.

The two sides seem to be divided by geography, north vs south, and whether the federal or state government should decide what's best for New Mexico.

Northerners worry about their health, property values, and economy. They want the nuclear waste made by the feds in the 1950s at Los Alamos National Labs moved from the forest, where it is currently stored in fabric tents in a wildfire zone. Radioactive waste vaporized in a wildfire is spread on winds, permanently contaminating property and people. Northerners, closer to the waste in the forest, want it shipped to WIPP now. They believe WIPP is needed and expected it to go there decades ago. Moving legacy waste from LANL and other labs remains the original mission of WIPP, one which DOE has failed for LANL. Northerners think the state does a better job of protecting New Mexicans than the feds on this issue.

The southern part of NM is worried it will lose jobs and WIPP. The majority of comments opposing the permit modification are from out-of-state union workers and most say, "based on the historically low number of shipments [of legacy waste from the Cold War] received from LANL," it will be almost impossible to move it to WIPP without people losing jobs. The first part of this argument is exactly why people support the permit modifications: the number of shipments IS historically low. It shouldn't be. If DOE were doing what it agreed to, LANL legacy waste would have high numbers of shipments, now be in WIPP, and no longer a risk. Some who oppose the change have even claimed it is a "political hit job" by the outgoing administration. They accuse northern folks of seeing no use for WIPP, despite their desperate calls to move it out of the forest and into the underground repository. Southerners blame the state and think the feds will better protect them.

In reality, DOE failed New Mexico. It's unfortunate it has to be forced to keep New Mexicans safe from the waste it created here, but that's why the permit must be changed.

The modifications will protect New Mexicans all over the state. A radiation release, likely where the waste is now, would devastate the whole state by:

Killing 50% of the nearby population within 30 days

Causing astronomical rates of cancers further from the release (Downwinders show the feds don't reimburse health costs due to radiation)

Bringing property values down to zero (Downwinders show the feds don't reimburse property loss due to radiation)

Permanent economic ruin for agriculture, ranching, recreation, etc. on land made useless for 500,000 years, destroying the tax base for the state.

Disasters can be avoided and this one must because it will be permanent. Changing the permit moves the LANL legacy waste, not in decades, but now. DOE's progress will be tracked and consequences applied if DOE continues to fail. New Mexico is standing up FOR us and TO the feds."

Please save New Mexicans from this insane catastrophe by not moving the nuke waste ASAP before another 220,000 acres blaze (2022 Mora region fire) overtakes LANL and makes the Land of Enchantment into the Land of Disenchanted Ghosts!

Sincerely,

Jean Stevens, MFA

I'm concerned about the continued existence of old legacy waste housed unsafely outside LANL. I'm writing in support of the WIPP Agency-Initiated Modification Draft Permit as proposed by NMED as it presses the federal government to rapidly remove tha...↓t waste to store it at WIPP.

It appears that DOE has deliberately stalled the process of moving this waste to a safe place (i.e., WIPP). This is irresponsible, especially in the face of increasing likelihood of dangerous fires, as it gets hotter and drier. People - not just in New Mexico, but across several Western states - are at risk of radioactive contamination, should a fire consume this waste.

In addition, DOE is not fulfilling its legal agreements, and so it is necessary to escalate pressure on the agency.

Thank you for considering my comments.

Thanks for listening.

Bill Riker

Cochiti Lake

I'm writing in support of the WIPP Agency-Initiated Modification Draft Permit as proposed by NMED because DOE's irresponsible storage of legacy waste threatens the health and safety of people like me and my neighbors.  It threatens our property value...↓s, properties in which we have invested money & sweat equity. Properties where we live and that we hope to pass on to the next generation.

DOE has been irresponsible in not dealing with this issue. We are just lucky that the fires in previous years have not gotten to the stored waste which would be catastrophic. 

The proposed permit modifications are needed NOW! 

Thank you for considering my comments.

My name is Kim Crickard. I worked as an electrician at a nucleear power plant in California years ago. It was very poorly run, and the threat of nuclear waste in populated areas concerns me greatly. You obviously are running your project just as badl...↓y as it is my understanding that you are storing nuclear waste in metal vats with the "protection" of tents over them. This is ridiculous and damn cavalier of you to treat this highly toxic waste as you have. You endanger the people of this area particularly since this area is at huge risk for fires due to dry grasses and strong winds. You also endanger wildlife and our water table. Put this stuff ELSEWHERE!! It does not belong here, and with a 100,00 year half life, it is a ridiculous decision to store it anywhere near a populated area. STOP IT!

Please remove all legacy waste from the Los Alamos National Laboratory ASAP to WIPP! There is currently a film which premiered at the Telluride Mountain Film Festival in May, "Burn Scar" about the 250,000 acres that burned near Mora in 2022. What wou...↓ld happen, during the worst recorded drought in NM, if the same thing happened at LANL.

I live in Taos, 45 miles downwind from LANL. Many people evacuated in 2011 when the Los Conchas fire came within three miles of Area G. This was broadcast nationally that about 60,000 barrels were sitting under tents. LANL has been extremely irresponsible to the all the human souls residing in Northern NM! Many folks, whom could, evacuated Taos in 2011. Plutonium cannot be detected by Geiger Counters which were placed at Holy Cross Hospital

The residents of Northern New Mexico dodged a "radioactive bullet" in 2012 but our luck cannot last with the historic droughts we are living with in 2026 and beyond!

how is it possible nuclear waste is sitting around los alamos? shouldn't there be giant signs warning us about this? but now there is a chance it can be moved to WIPP? isn't that what WIPP is for? please! allow whatever rules needed to move this wast...↓e! and BEFORE los alamos does another thing with radioactive materials, it knows where the waste will go!  

respectfully,

Lisa Verdi 

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) submits the attached written comments in strong support of the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) proposed Agency-Initiated Modifications (AIM) to the Waste Isolation Pilo...↓t Plant (WIPP) Hazardous Waste Facility Permit. Please contact Brad Frank, Program Manager – WVDP and End State Planning at 716-557-5582 or brad.frank@nyserda.ny.gov if you require additional information.

Thank you for your consideration.

Eleanor Eshenour

Office Manager

To NMED,

I am writing in support of the WIPP Agency-Initiated Modification Draft Permit as proposed by NMED because it will allow NMED to measure and track DOE's progress in identifying the legacy waste at LANL, and transport the waste to WIPP along t...↓he I-285 corridor where I live.  Also NMED would set a penalty on DOE if the agreement is not timely fulfilled. 

Thank you for considering my comments.

Elizabeth Foree

140 Principe de Paz

Santa Fe, NM 87508

Thank you for the opportunity to review the Agency-Initiated Draft Hazardous Waste Permit for Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.  Attached is a request for extension to the public comment period.  Additionally, the Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office of ...↓Environmental Management and Transuranic Waste Processing Facility respectfully request a public hearing on the subject public notice.  

Your consideration and approval of both requests is appreciated.

New Mexico Environment Department ,

I am writing to oppose New Mexico Environment Department's proposed permit that would establish mandatory shipment limits from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) before shipments from other cleanup sites can cont...↓inue to be received at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). 

WIPP is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. It plays an essential role in safely managing nuclear waste from cleanup sites across the United States while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, local businesses, and communities that depend on stable operations at nuclear facilities and cleanup sites. 

The proposed shipment limits would create serious risks and disruptions far beyond New Mexico. Based on the historically low number of shipments received from LANL, the mandatory thresholds outlined in this proposal would be nearly impossible to meet. As a result, shipments from other cleanup sites could effectively be halted, which would slow or cease operations at WIPP itself.

Working people should not bear the consequences of decisions that weaken safety, threaten jobs, and destabilize critical systems that communities across the country rely upon. WIPP’s ability to safely and consistently receive waste from cleanup sites nationwide is essential to maintaining responsible operations and protecting workers, communities, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Frank Mendlik 

fsamlegm3@windstream.net 

141 Woodview Dr. 

Elyria , Ohio 44035

New Mexico Environment Department ,

I am writing to oppose New Mexico Environment Department's proposed permit that would establish mandatory shipment limits from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) before shipments from other cleanup sites can cont...↓inue to be received at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). 

WIPP is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. It plays an essential role in safely managing nuclear waste from cleanup sites across the United States while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, local businesses, and communities that depend on stable operations at nuclear facilities and cleanup sites. 

The proposed shipment limits would create serious risks and disruptions far beyond New Mexico. Based on the historically low number of shipments received from LANL, the mandatory thresholds outlined in this proposal would be nearly impossible to meet. As a result, shipments from other cleanup sites could effectively be halted, which would slow or cease operations at WIPP itself.

Working people should not bear the consequences of decisions that weaken safety, threaten jobs, and destabilize critical systems that communities across the country rely upon. WIPP’s ability to safely and consistently receive waste from cleanup sites nationwide is essential to maintaining responsible operations and protecting workers, communities, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Mark Wojtowicz 

markwojo@aol.com 

26357 Sprague Rd 

Columbia Station, Ohio 44028

New Mexico Environment Department ,

I am writing to oppose New Mexico Environment Department's proposed permit that would establish mandatory shipment limits from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) before shipments from other cleanup sites can cont...↓inue to be received at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). 

WIPP is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. It plays an essential role in safely managing nuclear waste from cleanup sites across the United States while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, local businesses, and communities that depend on stable operations at nuclear facilities and cleanup sites. 

The proposed shipment limits would create serious risks and disruptions far beyond New Mexico. Based on the historically low number of shipments received from LANL, the mandatory thresholds outlined in this proposal would be nearly impossible to meet. As a result, shipments from other cleanup sites could effectively be halted, which would slow or cease operations at WIPP itself.

Working people should not bear the consequences of decisions that weaken safety, threaten jobs, and destabilize critical systems that communities across the country rely upon. WIPP’s ability to safely and consistently receive waste from cleanup sites nationwide is essential to maintaining responsible operations and protecting workers, communities, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Clay Gray 

clay.gray2@aol.com 

6524 welsh rd 

Nashport, Ohio 43830

New Mexico Environment Department ,

I am writing to oppose New Mexico Environment Department's proposed permit that would establish mandatory shipment limits from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) before shipments from other cleanup sites can cont...↓inue to be received at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). 

WIPP is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. It plays an essential role in safely managing nuclear waste from cleanup sites across the United States while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, local businesses, and communities that depend on stable operations at nuclear facilities and cleanup sites. 

The proposed shipment limits would create serious risks and disruptions far beyond New Mexico. Based on the historically low number of shipments received from LANL, the mandatory thresholds outlined in this proposal would be nearly impossible to meet. As a result, shipments from other cleanup sites could effectively be halted, which would slow or cease operations at WIPP itself.

Working people should not bear the consequences of decisions that weaken safety, threaten jobs, and destabilize critical systems that communities across the country rely upon. WIPP’s ability to safely and consistently receive waste from cleanup sites nationwide is essential to maintaining responsible operations and protecting workers, communities, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Troy Hartshorn 

trh67@icloud.com 

Claypool Rd SE, 18180 

Newark , Ohio 43056

New Mexico Environment Department ,

I am writing to oppose New Mexico Environment Department's proposed permit that would establish mandatory shipment limits from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) before shipments from other cleanup sites can cont...↓inue to be received at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). 

WIPP is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. It plays an essential role in safely managing nuclear waste from cleanup sites across the United States while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, local businesses, and communities that depend on stable operations at nuclear facilities and cleanup sites. 

The proposed shipment limits would create serious risks and disruptions far beyond New Mexico. Based on the historically low number of shipments received from LANL, the mandatory thresholds outlined in this proposal would be nearly impossible to meet. As a result, shipments from other cleanup sites could effectively be halted, which would slow or cease operations at WIPP itself.

Working people should not bear the consequences of decisions that weaken safety, threaten jobs, and destabilize critical systems that communities across the country rely upon. WIPP’s ability to safely and consistently receive waste from cleanup sites nationwide is essential to maintaining responsible operations and protecting workers, communities, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Douglas Mcpeck 

mcpeckdouglas@yahoo.com 

2757 lawhead ln 

Zanesville , Ohio 43701

New Mexico Environment Department ,

I am writing to oppose New Mexico Environment Department's proposed permit that would establish mandatory shipment limits from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) before shipments from other cleanup sites can cont...↓inue to be received at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). 

WIPP is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. It plays an essential role in safely managing nuclear waste from cleanup sites across the United States while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, local businesses, and communities that depend on stable operations at nuclear facilities and cleanup sites. 

The proposed shipment limits would create serious risks and disruptions far beyond New Mexico. Based on the historically low number of shipments received from LANL, the mandatory thresholds outlined in this proposal would be nearly impossible to meet. As a result, shipments from other cleanup sites could effectively be halted, which would slow or cease operations at WIPP itself.

Working people should not bear the consequences of decisions that weaken safety, threaten jobs, and destabilize critical systems that communities across the country rely upon. WIPP’s ability to safely and consistently receive waste from cleanup sites nationwide is essential to maintaining responsible operations and protecting workers, communities, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Tyler Dickerson 

95dickersont@gmail.com 

50481 township road 200 

Fresno, Ohio 43824

New Mexico Environment Department ,

I am writing to oppose New Mexico Environment Department's proposed permit that would establish mandatory shipment limits from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) before shipments from other cleanup sites can cont...↓inue to be received at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). 

WIPP is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. It plays an essential role in safely managing nuclear waste from cleanup sites across the United States while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, local businesses, and communities that depend on stable operations at nuclear facilities and cleanup sites. 

The proposed shipment limits would create serious risks and disruptions far beyond New Mexico. Based on the historically low number of shipments received from LANL, the mandatory thresholds outlined in this proposal would be nearly impossible to meet. As a result, shipments from other cleanup sites could effectively be halted, which would slow or cease operations at WIPP itself.

Working people should not bear the consequences of decisions that weaken safety, threaten jobs, and destabilize critical systems that communities across the country rely upon. WIPP’s ability to safely and consistently receive waste from cleanup sites nationwide is essential to maintaining responsible operations and protecting workers, communities, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Mark Marinucci 

mmal_123@roadrunner.com 

320 N CARPENTER RD 

BRUNSWICK, Ohio 44212

New Mexico Environment Department ,

I am writing to oppose New Mexico Environment Department's proposed permit that would establish mandatory shipment limits from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) before shipments from other cleanup sites can cont...↓inue to be received at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). 

WIPP is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. It plays an essential role in safely managing nuclear waste from cleanup sites across the United States while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, local businesses, and communities that depend on stable operations at nuclear facilities and cleanup sites. 

The proposed shipment limits would create serious risks and disruptions far beyond New Mexico. Based on the historically low number of shipments received from LANL, the mandatory thresholds outlined in this proposal would be nearly impossible to meet. As a result, shipments from other cleanup sites could effectively be halted, which would slow or cease operations at WIPP itself.

Working people should not bear the consequences of decisions that weaken safety, threaten jobs, and destabilize critical systems that communities across the country rely upon. WIPP’s ability to safely and consistently receive waste from cleanup sites nationwide is essential to maintaining responsible operations and protecting workers, communities, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Michael Ripple 

mripple89@gmail.com 

21 Skyview 

Brunswick, Ohio 44212

New Mexico Environment Department ,

I am writing to oppose New Mexico Environment Department's proposed permit that would establish mandatory shipment limits from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) before shipments from other cleanup sites can cont...↓inue to be received at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). 

WIPP is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. It plays an essential role in safely managing nuclear waste from cleanup sites across the United States while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, local businesses, and communities that depend on stable operations at nuclear facilities and cleanup sites. 

The proposed shipment limits would create serious risks and disruptions far beyond New Mexico. Based on the historically low number of shipments received from LANL, the mandatory thresholds outlined in this proposal would be nearly impossible to meet. As a result, shipments from other cleanup sites could effectively be halted, which would slow or cease operations at WIPP itself.

Working people should not bear the consequences of decisions that weaken safety, threaten jobs, and destabilize critical systems that communities across the country rely upon. WIPP’s ability to safely and consistently receive waste from cleanup sites nationwide is essential to maintaining responsible operations and protecting workers, communities, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Christine Dempsey 

stine3878@gmail.com 

338 Quail Roost Dr 

Medina, Ohio 44256-1560

New Mexico Environment Department ,

I am writing to oppose New Mexico Environment Department's proposed permit that would establish mandatory shipment limits from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) before shipments from other cleanup sites can cont...↓inue to be received at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). 

WIPP is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. It plays an essential role in safely managing nuclear waste from cleanup sites across the United States while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, local businesses, and communities that depend on stable operations at nuclear facilities and cleanup sites. 

The proposed shipment limits would create serious risks and disruptions far beyond New Mexico. Based on the historically low number of shipments received from LANL, the mandatory thresholds outlined in this proposal would be nearly impossible to meet. As a result, shipments from other cleanup sites could effectively be halted, which would slow or cease operations at WIPP itself.

Working people should not bear the consequences of decisions that weaken safety, threaten jobs, and destabilize critical systems that communities across the country rely upon. WIPP’s ability to safely and consistently receive waste from cleanup sites nationwide is essential to maintaining responsible operations and protecting workers, communities, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Anita Marshall-Solinski 

barowner9503@yahoo.com 

10025 Deerfield Ct 

Twinsburg, Ohio 44087-3301

New Mexico Environment Department ,

I am writing to oppose New Mexico Environment Department's proposed permit that would establish mandatory shipment limits from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) before shipments from other cleanup sites can cont...↓inue to be received at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). 

WIPP is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. It plays an essential role in safely managing nuclear waste from cleanup sites across the United States while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, local businesses, and communities that depend on stable operations at nuclear facilities and cleanup sites. 

The proposed shipment limits would create serious risks and disruptions far beyond New Mexico. Based on the historically low number of shipments received from LANL, the mandatory thresholds outlined in this proposal would be nearly impossible to meet. As a result, shipments from other cleanup sites could effectively be halted, which would slow or cease operations at WIPP itself.

Working people should not bear the consequences of decisions that weaken safety, threaten jobs, and destabilize critical systems that communities across the country rely upon. WIPP’s ability to safely and consistently receive waste from cleanup sites nationwide is essential to maintaining responsible operations and protecting workers, communities, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Juan Martinez 

juanantoniomartinez86@outlook.com 

3526 fir street 

East chicago, Indiana 46312

New Mexico Environment Department ,

I am writing to oppose New Mexico Environment Department's proposed permit that would establish mandatory shipment limits from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) before shipments from other cleanup sites can cont...↓inue to be received at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). 

WIPP is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. It plays an essential role in safely managing nuclear waste from cleanup sites across the United States while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, local businesses, and communities that depend on stable operations at nuclear facilities and cleanup sites. 

The proposed shipment limits would create serious risks and disruptions far beyond New Mexico. Based on the historically low number of shipments received from LANL, the mandatory thresholds outlined in this proposal would be nearly impossible to meet. As a result, shipments from other cleanup sites could effectively be halted, which would slow or cease operations at WIPP itself.

Working people should not bear the consequences of decisions that weaken safety, threaten jobs, and destabilize critical systems that communities across the country rely upon. WIPP’s ability to safely and consistently receive waste from cleanup sites nationwide is essential to maintaining responsible operations and protecting workers, communities, and the environment.

Sincerely,

Brandi Barry 

brandi_88@yahoo.com 

84 county road 55 

Ironton, Ohio 45638