Southeastern New Mexico emergency services will receive $800,000 under settlements stemming from 2014 a radiation leak that forced the closure of the nation’s only underground nuclear waste repository.
The state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resource Department says Eddy County will get $510,000 for training and equipment for emergency personnel and for radiological preparedness training for hospital staff. Lea County will get $260,000 to buy medical kits, sanitizing systems and radios for responders. The City of Hobbs will get $30,000 for medical kits.
The federal funding is being provided under previously announced agreements between the state and the U.S. Department of Energy to settle permit violations involving the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad.
A waste container from the Los Alamos National Laboratory burst and released radiation in February 2014.
