U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management headquarters and field site officials joined Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and EM Los Alamos Field Office contractor leadership, a New Mexico Environment Department representative and Los Alamos County councilor for a National Cleanup Workshop panel titled, “All Roads Lead to WIPP: The Importance of Disposal to Cleanup.”
Office of Environmental Management
September 22, 2026
Estimated Read Time min
Panelists included, from left, Brad Smith, president and general manager of Newport News Nuclear BWXT Los Alamos LLC; Justin Marble, acting deputy assistant secretary for Waste & Materials Management, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM); Ken Harrawood, president and program manager, Salado Isolation Mining Contractors; and Mark Bollinger, manager, EM Carlsbad Field Office.
ARLINGTON, Va. — U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) headquarters and field site officials joined Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and EM Los Alamos Field Office contractor leadership, a New Mexico Environment Department representative and Los Alamos County councilor for a National Cleanup Workshop panel titled, “All Roads Lead to WIPP: The Importance of Disposal to Cleanup.”
The discussion focused on EM efforts to safely and efficiently manage radioactive waste and accelerate environmental cleanup across the DOE complex, including transuranic waste shipments to WIPP.
Among the key themes: EM is increasing waste shipments and making progress on disposing of legacy waste, particularly at Los Alamos National Laboratory; and improved characterization, sorting, treatment and coordination can ensure waste is sent to the appropriate disposal facility while preserving WIPP capacity.
Overall, EM is working toward a more coordinated, efficient and sustainable approach to radioactive waste management while investing in infrastructure and maintaining safety as the central priority.
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