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$74M Settlement Finalized For New Mexico Nuclear Waste Leak

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
(Photo via wipp.energy.gov)
The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southern New Mexico.

New Mexico and the U.S. Department of Energy have finalized $74 million in settlements stemming from a radiation leak in 2014 at the nation’s only underground nuclear waste repository.

The dozens of settlements make up the largest sum ever negotiated between a state and the Energy Department, and this came after months of talks. The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southern New Mexico has been closed since February 2014 when a container of waste burst and released radiation in the underground facility. Investigators determined that the container had been improperly packed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and experts concluded the incident could have been avoided.

The settlements call for many actions, including increased sampling and monitoring of storm water runoff around Los Alamos and regular compliance reviews to ensure the facilities have implemented changes. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

 

 

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Stina Sieg was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2013 to 2018.