New Mexico Environment Department Secretary to Address Consent Issue at Nuclear Summit

    CARLSBAD, NM, March 21, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- David Martin, Secretary of the New Mexico Environment Department, will outline what he views as a path forward in "cooperation and consultation" between state and federal agencies during the National Nuclear Fuel Cycle Summit taking place April 2-5 in Carlsbad.

The NNFCS will focus on the national dialogue regarding the disposition of waste streams produced by the nuclear fuel cycle, and will include renowned experts from the various nuclear-related industries from across the nation.

A "cooperation and consultation" (C&C) model involves the relationship between any state volunteering to store or dispose of high-level waste from civilian and defense operations and a generic federally authorized HLW facility. The Department of Energy and New Mexico have a C&C agreement related to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant ("WIPP"). The WIPP is a deep geologic repository for defense-generated transuranic (TRU) waste located in southeast New Mexico.

The President's Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future has recommended a consent-based approach for any future developments related to nuclear waste disposal or storage.

"During a recent conference in Phoenix, Secretary Martin outlined many of the expectations, concerns and requirements the state of New Mexico would bring to the table, if consent-based discussions were to occur with DOE," said John Waters, executive director of the Carlsbad Department of Development. "I hope that he will expand on that topic during his talk at the National Nuclear Fuel Cycle Summit in Carlsbad."

One of Martin's statements during the Waste Management 2012 conference in Phoenix was that the state seeks assurances that waste from uranium-mining in the state would be cleaned up. He also noted that a consent-based approach for siting a disposal or storage facility requires robust scientific investigation and a credible relationship between federal, state and local governments.

"I think many of the conversations and presentations that take place during our April summit will lay the foundation for scientifically robust discussions among potentially interested parties that could structure nuclear development for years," said Waters. "I'm really looking forward to listening to what Secretary Martin has to say, and everyone involved in the nuclear industry should be too."

Other confirmed speakers for the NNFCS include former U.S. Senator Pete Domenici; Takeshi Ota, Manager at the Nuclear Fuel Management Group; Dr. Frank L. Parker, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Vanderbilt University; and John H. Bemis, Cabinet Secretary-Designate for the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.

The National Nuclear Fuel Cycle Summit takes place April 2-5, 2012. For more information, contact the CDOD at (800) 658-2709 or e-mail [email protected]. Log on to www.NuclearFuelCycleSummit.org for up to date conference information and to register.

The Carlsbad Department of Development is a member supported non-profit organization. Members represent over 100 chief executive officers in industry, business and finance, the City of Carlsbad, Eddy County Board of Commissioners, New Mexico State University-Carlsbad, and other organizations. The Carlsbad Department of Development is your first contact for business assistance in Carlsbad and Eddy County.

For additional information regarding this release
Carlsbad Department of Development / News Division
Office: 575-887-6562
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.NuclearFuelCycleSummit.org

The Carlsbad Department of Development is the economic development agency for the City of Carlsbad and Eddy County, New Mexico.

The Carlsbad Department of Development promotes the economic and general welfare of the citizens of the City of Carlsbad and South Eddy County, New Mexico.

Website: http://www.developcarlsbad.org

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