The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant is the nation’s only repository for the disposal of transuranic waste generated by atomic energy defense activities. WIPP is located 33 miles southeast of Carlsbad, New Mexico, in the Chihuahuan Desert, far from major population centers. Waste is disposed of in a set of panels located nearly one-half mile below the surface in a deep geologic salt bed formed 250 million years ago. The facility began operation in 1999 and celebrated 20 years of operations in 2019. To date, WIPP has received over 13,000 shipments that were safely transported more than 16 million cumulative miles. Watch the video below to learn more about the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
WIPP News
Field Manager
Mark Bollinger, Carlsbad Field Office Manager
Mark Bollinger is the Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management’s (EM) Manager of the Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO).
Prior to his selection as Manager in May 2023, Bollinger served as the CBFO Acting Manager since January 2023, and Deputy Manager from 2021 until 2023. From 2007 until 2021, Bollinger was the Deputy Manager for DOE Office of Science’s Fermi Site Office.
Click here to view full bio.
High-Level Budget Information
| FY22 Enacted (In the millions) |
FY23 Request (In the millions) |
FY23 Enacted (In the millions) |
FY24 Request (in the millions) |
| $451 | $463 | $467 | $475 |
For more information on the Office of Environmental Management's budget process and performance check out the Budget & Performance page.