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. Watch the video below to learn more about the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
WIPP News
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Representatives from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant recently toured the acclaimed Apprenticeship School at the Savannah River Site as they look to launch a similar program to help fill critical positions. June 24, 2025.June 24, 2025
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Just six months into 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management has racked up significant cleanup accomplishments across the country, with more progress on the horizon, senior EM federal and contractor executives said here last week. June 17, 2025.June 17, 2025
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Just over 400 legacy transuranic waste containers remain at the Savannah River Site after workers there have sent more than 35,000 of them to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico for disposal since the underground repository opened in 1999.May 27, 2025
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The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Carlsbad Field Office and Waste Isolation Pilot Plant recently held the second annual Southeastern New Mexico Regional Science Bowl.March 18, 2025
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The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management has achieved a major milestone by completing commissioning of the Safety Significant Confinement Ventilation System facility.March 4, 2025
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EM highlights the contributions of five engineers we’ve interviewed across the cleanup complex for National Engineers Week.February 18, 2025
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) | FY24 Enacted (in the millions) | FY25 Requested (in the millions) |
| $451 | $463 | $467 | $475 | $475 | $437 |
For more information on the Office of Environmental Management's budget process and performance check out the Budget & Performance page.