Nuclear Waste Site Gets Extra Storage: Comment Period Finally Shuts
Published Date: 5/2/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Energy wants to add two new waste panels at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant to replace lost space caused by past problems. The EPA opened a public comment period that started in July 2024, extended it after requests, and now has officially closed it. This change affects how nuclear waste is stored safely, with no immediate cost changes announced.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
DOE proposes two new WIPP waste panels
The Department of Energy proposed adding two additional waste panels at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant to replace disposal capacity lost after the 2014 radiological incident and other ground control issues. The EPA opened a public comment period starting July 16, 2024 (a 60-day period that expired September 16, 2024), reopened comments indefinitely on October 22, 2024, and has now closed the comment period. The notice states there are no immediate cost changes announced.
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