Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

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. 

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Photo Gallery

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Aerial view of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
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Located in southeast New Mexico, about 33 miles east of Carlsbad, New Mexico, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant repository is carved out of a 2,000-foot-thick salt bed formed 250 million years ago. Transuranic waste is disposed of 2,150 feet underground in rooms mined from the salt bed.
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A large white facility building with a tall ventilation pipe coming out of it
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The exterior of the Safety Significant Confinement Ventilation System facility at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. This project is important in increasing our workers’ safety and allows for the continued progress towards environmental cleanup and national security missions.
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Employees working through a rope change on a machine
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During a previous annual maintenance outage at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, workers safely performed a head rope replacement at the site’s waste hoist building where transuranic waste shipments are lowered into the underground repository.
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3 Individuals sit in chairs at the front of a room and speak to the others around the room
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The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant team holds a community forum with participants joining in person and virtually. WIPP periodically holds community forums throughout New Mexico to increase the public’s engagement and understanding of WIPP’s New Mexico and national cleanup mission under the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management.
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A white eighteen wheeler truck driving on an open road
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A waste transport delivery truck carrying three casks containing transuranic waste is shown en route to the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico
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A photo of a worker standing next to a large piece of underground mining equiptment.
Caption
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant underground operations.
Photo
Aerial view of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
Caption
Located in southeast New Mexico, about 33 miles east of Carlsbad, New Mexico, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant repository is carved out of a 2,000-foot-thick salt bed formed 250 million years ago. Transuranic waste is disposed of 2,150 feet underground in rooms mined from the salt bed.

Located in southeast New Mexico, about 33 miles east of Carlsbad, New Mexico, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant repository is carved out of a 2,000-foot-thick salt bed formed 250 million years ago. Transuranic waste is disposed of 2,150 feet underground in rooms mined from the salt bed.

WIPP News

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Site Manager

Mark Bollinger
Link URL
/em/person/mark-bollinger

Mark Bollinger, Site Manager

Mark Bollinger is the Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management’s 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

FY25 Request (in the millions) FY25 Enacted (in the millions FY26 Request (in the millions) FY26 Enacted (in the millions) FY27 Request (in the millions)
$437 $505 $427 $431 $483

For more information on the Office of Environmental Management's budget process and performance check out the Budget & Performance page.

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