Udall, Heinrich Statement on Department of Energy WIPP Fire Investigation Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich issued the following statement on the release of the U.S. Department of Energy's accident investigation report for the underground mine fire involving a salt haul truck at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, New Mexico.

"The findings of the accident investigation board on the February 5th fire at WIPP are deeply concerning. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The community of Carlsbad and the nation expect WIPP to operate with the highest level of safety. The board has identified a number of serious safety concerns that will need to be fully addressed. We believe all levels of management at the Department of Energy and at WIPP must take the recommendations from the board very seriously and fully implement them.

"At the same time, we still need a full understanding of what caused the radiation leak that occurred on February 14th and the steps that need to be taken to ensure the safety of WIPP personnel and the Carlsbad community."