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.
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Photo Gallery
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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U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office team members highlighted the importance of characterizing legacy waste safely and efficiently, and disposing of that waste off Los Alamos National Laboratory property, during the recent Environmental Management Cleanup Forum. September 30, 2025September 30, 2025
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The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management is nearing completion of a campaign in Idaho that involves reconditioning previously containerized transuranic waste to allow its safe shipment to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico for permanent disposal. September 30, 2025September 30, 2025
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The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management announced it awarded a noncompetitive financial assistance agreement, Transportation of Transuranic Wastes to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Emergency Preparedness, to the Southern States Energy Board, in Peachtree Corners, Georgia.September 25, 2025
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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
Federal Project Director
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
| FY24 Request (in the millions) | FY24 Enacted (in the millions | FY25 Request (in the millions) | FY25 Enacted (in the millions | FY26 Request (in the millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $475 | $475 | $437 | $505 | $427 |
For more information on the Office of Environmental Management's budget process and performance check out the Budget & Performance page.