A transuranic waste shipment arrives at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant from the EM program at the Idaho National Laboratory Site.
A transuranic waste shipment arrives at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant from the EM program at the Idaho National Laboratory Site.

CARLSBAD, N.M. – EM’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) marked a second major transportation milestone this summer after its drivers exceeded 15 million safe miles, equivalent to about 33 roundtrips to the moon, without serious accident or injury.

The latest milepost comes just weeks after WIPP received its 12,500th transuranic (TRU) waste shipment since operations began there in 1999.

“This is a testament to the caliber of driving professionals that support the WIPP transportation program,” said Kirk Lachman, acting manager of the Carlsbad Field Office. “We are fortunate to have the best of the best driving for us, which is extremely important to safely carry out our mission.”

The TRU waste shipment that put WIPP over 15 million safe miles originated from the EM program at the Idaho National Laboratory Site, which has sent more than 6,300 shipments to WIPP over the past 20 years.

Since WIPP began operations, it has received TRU waste from 22 DOE sites around the DOE complex.

EM Waste Isolation Pilot Plant drivers recently marked 15 million safe miles since the facility's operations began 20 years ago.
EM Waste Isolation Pilot Plant drivers recently marked 15 million safe miles since the facility's operations began 20 years ago.

WIPP drivers receive almost 200 hours of training before they transport their first shipment of TRU waste. They must meet extensive driving and background requirements before being considered for employment. Once employed, they receive training on transporting TRU waste from DOE generator sites across the country. This includes use of package securement devices and radiation detection equipment, and proficiency in emergency management procedures.

Located in southeast New Mexico about 26 miles from Carlsbad, WIPP was constructed in the 1980s for disposal of defense-generated TRU waste. The repository is carved out of a 2,000-foot-thick salt bed formed 250 million years ago. TRU waste is disposed of 2,150 feet underground in rooms mined from the salt bed.