Last week, the U.S Department of Energy’s National Transuranic (TRU) Program (NTP) Users Group convened for a summit in Albuquerque.
The three-day session included more than 100 participants composed of DOE officials and contractors from sites that produce defense-generated transuranic (TRU) nuclear waste, which is sent to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) located in southeast New Mexico about 26 miles from Carlsbad. WIPP is managed and operated by Salado Isolation Mining Contractors LLC (SIMCO), a Chamber Leadership Circle member.
The summit also included a reception hosted by the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce at the Smithsonian-affiliated National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, a Chamber Connections Level member where WIPP has a large public exhibit.
According to George R. Rangel, SIMCO Manager – Communications & Public Affairs, the NTP Users Group holds periodic summits where colleagues participate in focused sessions aimed at sharing information, best practices and lessons-learned to continuously improve how DOE delivers its national cleanup mission.
The DOE’s Office of Environmental Management established the NTP to oversee the process of preparing TRU waste from waste-generator sites to meet WIPP requirements, and provide guidance and requirements for receiving the waste at WIPP. This process involves characterizing and packaging the waste at generator sites, followed by safely transporting the waste for storage at the WIPP facility.
The Chamber was excited to collaborate with its members SIMCO and the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History on the event, recognizes how very important the nuclear cleanup mission is and applauds the industry professionals who are making it happen.
