Nation

WIPP: No Evidence Of Second Breached Drum

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WIPP News:

Recent news reports have incorrectly suggested that there is a second breached drum in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) underground facility. There is no evidence to suggest a release from a second drum.

The site conducted initial surveys that showed no evidence of a radiological release from Panel 6, and WIPP personnel have seen no evidence since then that suggests anything different.

Worker safety is the Department’s highest priority and workers entering radiologically controlled areas of the WIPP underground facility are trained and equipped with state of the Read More

Heinrich Co-sponsors Bill to Expand STEM Education

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Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.

WASHINGTON D.C. – Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. cosponsored a bill to expand engagement in afterschool programs focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields and encourage New Mexico students to pursue STEM careers.

The bill, S. 2543, the Supporting Afterschool STEM Act, would help provide resources to support afterschool and STEM programs by strengthening state, local, and community partnerships.

“It has become increasingly important to engage students in STEM education. This proposal strengthens collaboration Read More

Top White House National Security Council Official Confirmed As DOE Deputy Secretary

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Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall. Courtesy/cisac.fsi.stanford.edu

DOE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall was confirmed by the Senate Thursday, as the Department of Energy’s deputy secretary.

“Liz’s confirmation comes at a historic time in our nation’s energy evolution,” Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz said. “She joins us with deep expertise in the Department’s nuclear security mission, including both nuclear weapons and countering proliferation. Her extensive public service and recent responsibilities on the White House National Security team position Read More

DNFSB Reports Deficiencies In U.S. Nuclear Labs’ Emergency Preparedness Plans

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A recently released study of 17 U.S. nuclear weapons laboratories by the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB), which examined operations at the labs over the last three years, found deficiencies in emergency preparedness plans.

Three New Mexico labs — the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, and Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque — exemplify various gaps in disaster preparedness throughout the nation’s nuclear defense system.

The assessment comes as the Energy and Defense Department are Read More

Los Alamos Hosts 307th Bombardment Group Friday

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Courtesy/307th

COMMUNITY News:

Los Alamos will host the 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy) Association, Inc. Friday morning at the Bradbury Science Museum.

Members of the association are expected to arrive around 10:45 a.m. These individuals are the last remaining veterans and family members of the pilots, navigators, bombardiers, radio operators, gunners and maintenance crews of the 370th, 371st, 372nd and 424th Bomb Squadrons known as the Long Rangers. They defended the entire Pacific Theater during World War II, flying missions that sometimes never made it home. The long flights from Read More

Udall, Barrasso Hail Senate Passage Of Bill To Streamline BLM Energy Permits

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Tom Udall, D-N.M. and John Barrasso, R-WY announced Tuesday that the Senate passed their bipartisan bill to extend a pilot program that has helped the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) balance complex demands, including oil and gas permitting and environmental management, in New Mexico, Wyoming and other parts of the West.

The BLM Permit Processing Improvement Act of 2014, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent, permanently extends a pilot program from the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that was designed to help the agency deal with a backlog of Read More

DOE Secretary Showcases National Labs On Hill

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DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz

DOE News:

  • Lab Day Demonstrations Highlight Labs’ Contribution to U.S. Competitiveness and Innovation

Washington, D.C. – Today, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz joined Sen. Dick Durbin, D-IL and Sen. Jim Risch, R-ID for National Lab Day on the Hill.

The event highlighted several notable research projects from across the National Laboratory system. Senators Durbin and Risch also formally launched the Senate National Laboratory Caucus, which aims to increase awareness of the reach of the national labs as leaders in developing new breakthrough technologies and Read More

Heinrich Marks Hispanic Heritage Month

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the U.S. Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, released the following statement in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, observed Sept. 15 to Oct. 15:

“This month, we celebrate the achievements and immeasurable contributions that Hispanic-Americans make every day to shape and enrich our nation. From serving in our Armed Forces, to starting businesses that strengthen our economy, to fighting for civil rights, the Hispanic community helps build a stronger, more resilient America. In New Read More

Udall Votes For Equal Pay For Women

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

  • Disappointed that Republicans again chose to filibuster Paycheck Fairness Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall expressed his disappointment that Republicans again blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that would ensure women receive equal pay for equal work.

Although the bill received support from a majority in the Senate, 52-40, it failed to receive the 60 votes necessary to overcome the Republican filibuster. Today’s vote was the second time this year that Republicans have filibustered equal pay for equal work.

Udall issued Read More

Heinrich Marks 20 Years Of AmeriCorps

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., is the first AmeriCorps alum to serve in the United States Senate and a member of the National Service Congressional Caucus.

Heinrich is a cosponsor of a resolution recognizing the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps. He released the following statement commemorating the 20th Anniversary of AmeriCorps, Sept. 12, 2o14:

“For 20 years, more than 900,000 AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1 billon hours of service to strengthen communities across the country, solve problems, and expand economic Read More