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File #: 21540-26    Version: 1
Type: Briefing/Report (Dept,BCC) - Action Requested Status: Council Business
File created: 3/31/2026 In control: County Council - Regular Session
On agenda: 4/7/2026 Final action:
Title: Discussion and Possible Action to Authorize the Council Chair to Sign and Send a Letter to the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Secretary about Acceptance of Waste from Outside New Mexico to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico
Presenters: County Council
Indexes (Council Goals): Quality Governance - Intergovernmental and Regional Relations
Attachments: 1. A - Draft Letter, 2. B - February 11, 2026 letter from NMED to DOE Carlsbad Field Office

Title

Discussion and Possible Action to Authorize the Council Chair to Sign and Send a Letter to the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Secretary about Acceptance of Waste from Outside New Mexico to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico

Recommended Action

I move that Council authorize the Council Chair to sign and send a letter on behalf of the County Council to the New Mexico Environment Department Secretary regarding the County's support of acceptance of waste from outside of New Mexico to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Body

Due to shared concern among Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) member communities about recent modifications (see Attachment B) made to the WIPP Hazardous Waste Permit by the New Mexico Environment Department, (NMED), the letter included as Attachment A affirms Los Alamos County's support for the WIPP facility accepting waste from out-of-state facilities. Other ECA member communities are preparing similar letters or resolutions.

Attachments

A - Draft Letter

B - February 11, 2026 letter from NMED to DOE Carlsbad Field Office