VIDEO: Heinrich Confirms With Energy Secretary That WIPP Recovery Efforts Are On Track, Continues Support To Modernize Electrical Grid

WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) confirmed with U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz that the recovery effort at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is on track to return the facility to normal operation by the current target date of 2018.

WIPP, located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, is the only active facility in the United States that disposes defense-generated transuranic (TRU) waste. The facility halted operations last February following two separate accidents -- a fire and a radiation release.

Last August, Senator Heinrich joined Secretary Moniz at WIPP for an "all hands" employee meeting, surface tour, and townhall with Carlsbad residents.

During the committee hearing with Secretary Moniz, Senator Heinrich also discussed modernizing our nation's electric grid by incorporating advanced energy-storage technologies, such as batteries.