Federal officials touted higher-level nuclear waste shipments to a repository near Carlsbad from Idaho, amid concerns that too much waste was coming from out of state.

Idaho National Laboratory announced on May 12 the resumption of shipments of “remote-handled” waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant for the first time since 2014.

At WIPP, the Energy Department disposes of transuranic nuclear waste (TRU), which is clothing materials, equipment and other debris irradiated during nuclear activities.

The waste is buried at WIPP in a salt deposit about 2,000 feet underground. The salt gradually collapses on the waste, burying the refuse and blocking radiation from escaping.

Remote-handled waste carries a higher dose of radiation, 200 millirems or more per hour. It was traditionally handled only via machine due to its higher dose than that of “contact-handled” waste, which is less than 200 millirems per hour.

Contact-handled waste makes up about 96% of the refuse disposed of at WIPP, read a news release from the Department of Energy.

A standard TV screen emits about one millirem of radiation per hour, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Resumption of remote-handled waste shipments to WIPP follows regulators’ 2024 approval of a new, shielded container allowing workers to emplace the waste alongside contact-handled waste. Remote-handled waste previously had to be placed in boreholes drilled into the walls of the WIPP underground.

“The shipment represents a significant step forward in advancing the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Environmental Management mission, emphasizing the remediation of contaminated sites and the safe, permanent disposal of transuranic waste,” said Nick Balsmeir, manager of the department’s Idaho Cleanup Project.

“These efforts align with DOE’s vision of sustainability while safeguarding the environment for future generations.”

Dan Coyne, president and program manager of Idaho Environmental Coalition, the contractor overseeing cleanup operations at Idaho National Laboratory, said the resumption of remote-handled waste shipments drew the facility one step closer to disposing of its nuclear waste.

“Resuming remote-handled transuranic waste shipments is about more than safely moving waste – it’s about fulfilling our promises to the state of Idaho, reducing risks to the environment and demonstrating progress that matters to the community and the nation,” Coyne said.

Too much waste from outside New Mexico?

Under a 1995 settlement agreement with the state of Idaho, the U.S. Department of Energy agreed to reserve about half of WIPP’s shipment capacity for the Idaho lab.

That’s reflected in federal shipment records, which as of May 30 show Idaho accounted for 7,823 shipments to WIPP since it opened in 1999, about 52% of the total 14,807 shipments received during the facility’s lifetime.

WIPP’s primary waste shipper from within the state is Los Alamos National Laboratory, which sent 1,827 shipments, or about 12% of the total in the 27 years since disposal operations began.

The large portion of out-of-state waste coming to WIPP is a problem for the New Mexico Environment Department, which oversees the federal government’s state permit to operate the repository.

On April 23, the environment department proposed an amendment to its WIPP permit, requiring that 55% of waste shipments to the repository come from Los Alamos from 2027 to 2031, and 75% starting in 2032.

By 2028, all waste stored at the surface of Los Alamos must be sent to WIPP, under the proposal.

The public comment period for the proposal was recently extended, giving those for or against the amendment until June 22 to submit their remarks online.

As of June 3, there were 480 comments submitted both for and against.

The proposal could create “operational uncertainty,” wrote Scott Lopez in his May 27 comments. Lopez is executive director of the New Mexico Nuclear Alliance, a Santa Fe-based nonprofit that advocates for the nuclear industry throughout the state.

Requiring that a higher percentage of the waste at WIPP originate at Los Alamos could have the effect of reducing overall shipments, Lopez wrote, potentially disrupting cleanup of other sites around the country.

“Maintaining a predictable and efficient operational framework is essential not only for the success of the nation’s transuranic waste disposal mission, but also for preserving economic confidence in southeastern New Mexico communities that have supported this mission for decades,” Lopez wrote.

The Santa Fe County Commission supported the modification and the state’s efforts to require more disposal of waste from Los Alamos, according to public comments signed and submitted by the commission on May 28.

Commissioners noted the proximity of their constituents to Los Alamos, potentially putting them at risk if an extreme weather event in the area occurred and impacted waste stored at the lab.

“The residents of Santa Fe County are entitled to clean air and clean water, and to confidence that the federal government will honor its commitments to New Mexico,” read the statement. “These modifications represent a necessary and long-overdue step toward fulfilling the cleanup commitments that accompanied WIPP’s opening in 1999.”

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

Artesia city officials planned to grapple with an annual $3.8 million loss over the next four years.

The City Council at its May 26 regular meeting voted to approve the city’s budget for Fiscal Year 2027, which runs from July 1 to June 30 of next year.

Included in the budget is an overall deficit of $11 million, which City Clerk Summer Valverde said will be overcome with part of the $18 million the city holds in reserves for its General Fund in the FY 2027 Interim Budget.

But the city expected a $3.8 million deficit to continue annually until 2030, based on current spending levels, which future budgets must address.

That portion of the deficit resulted from planned increases in employee pay at all levels and in all departments, as well as an additional 5% increase to Artesia Police and Fire Departments this year, Valverde said.

She said the city adopted this pay scale and schedule four years ago when an analysis compared the City of Artesia’s compensation plans with Eddy County and other municipalities. The pay schedule is designed to maintain competitive compensation, reward employee retention and ensure promotions correlate with appropriate increases in pay, Valverde said.

“Back in 22-23 the council elected to come up quite a bit and it cost the city,” explained Valverde. “We want to keep ahead, but where we won’t have that much catch up for any department [in future years].”

Councilor Michael Bunt postulated the problem is an outpacing of employee pay increases in comparison with city revenues.

“Nothing to do with anything other than (if) you run a $4 million deficit for four years that’s $16 million you’ve spent.” Bunt continued. “That’s a concern I have. I think its valid. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give people raises. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take care of our people.”

Valverde said the city devised the budget assuming gross receipts tax revenue about $400,000 less per month that recent average revenue, hoping to give the City “some cushion,” she said.

But Valverde said the city may reach a point where it must freeze pay increases.

Noteworthy expenses in the budget included $7 million in capital projects for remaining in renovations at city hall and the current Artesia Recreation Center on Chisum Avenue, separate from the rec center being built alongside the Artesia Aquatic Center on Bowman Drive.

That funding was also supporting work on waterlines throughout the city and the Bulldog Water Well.

Council approved the budget without stipulations to avoid requesting an extension to the June 1 deadline.

Fourth of July Festivities

Jessica Bollema and Kamili Burnett of the Artesia Chamber of Commerce received approval from City Council for the 2026 Fourth of July Extravaganza festivities set to occur on July 3 and 4.

Jaycee Park will be closed to vehicular traffic all day July 4 with the exception of vendors, cars with handicap placards and emergency response vehicles. Event attendees must park in the parking lot south of Jaycee Park and walk from their vehicles into the event space.

“The reason for encouraging people to walk into the park is safety as whole” explained Burnett, “Sitting down with fire and police they advised it would be easier to manage on their end if we just shut the park completely down to vehicles.”

The celebration of America’s 250th Independence Day will begin in downtown Artesia with a city-wide salute, 5k and parade and then continue at Jaycee Park with vendors and sporting events for all ages and ability levels.

Residents can kick back in the beer garden or elevate the day with a skydiving venture. The festivities will conclude with live music and a firework show. The event’s $75,000 budget doubles that of previous years.

Other Business

Regional Emergency Dispatch Authority Executive Director Bambi Kern sought and gained approval for Resolution 1951 which “recognizes Public Safety Telecommunicators as First Responders and as critical infrastructure within the public safety framework.”

“This will include dispatch in any local policies for dispatchers as it now places them correctly within the emergency response system alongside the other First Responders.” Kern explained.

The resolution does not affect pay, training or other work conditions and has already been adopted by over 80 counties in New Mexico, including Eddy County.

New Mexico’s incumbent Democrats in Congress won renomination in the Tuesday, June 2, primary, securing their places on the ballot in the Nov. 3 general election.

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan led his primary race, outpolling Matt Dodson with 181,419 votes, or 84%, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office. Dodson had 34,166 votes or 16%.

Vote tallies are unofficial until they are canvassed during a special meeting by county commissions where the ballots were submitted.

Lujan will face write-in candidate Larry Marker, who was unopposed as the GOP nominee to the U.S. Senate.

“In the Senate, I will keep fighting to lower costs, protect access to health care, help families put food on the table, and ensure New Mexico’s kids can grow up in safe, strong communities,” Lujan said. “I will continue standing up to the Trump administration’s cruel agenda and working to make sure federal investments reach every corner of our state.”

U.S. House

Incumbent U.S. Reps. Gabe Vasquez in the 2nd Congressional District, Melanie Stansbury in the 1st Congressional District, and Teresa Leger Fernandez in the 3rd Congressional District were unopposed in the Democratic primary.

“Thank you to all the voters across this district that put their faith in me and chose me to represent them in Congress,” Vasquez said in a statement Tuesday night. “There is no doubt this will be another competitive general election, but I know that New Mexicans are ready to fight for what is important.”

State Rep. Martin Zamora was unopposed for the GOP nomination in the 3rd Congressional District as was Didi Okpareke in the 1st District.

Gregory Cunningham was the likely winner in his bid for the GOP nod in the 2nd District with 26,757 votes or 85%. Jose Orozco tallied 4,888 votes for 15% of the vote.

Lt. Governor

Current New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver was the apparent winner of the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, with 169,039 votes or 80%, according to Secretary of State’s Office.

State Sen. Harold Pope earned 42,366 votes or 20% of the vote.

Republican State Sen. David Gallegos was poised to claim his party’s nomination to the office with 56,508 votes or 50% compared with 42,888 votes or 38% for Attorney Aubrey Blair Dunn. Third-place finisher Manny Lardizabal had 14,203 votes or 13%.

A congressman from the Texas side of the Permian Basin wants to exempt low-producing oil wells from federal air quality regulations.

The Protect Domestic Oil and Gas Small Business Act of 2026 was introduced May 21 by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) and backed by U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming). The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and had yet to receive a hearing.

If passed, the bill would exempt so-called “marginal wells” – those that produce 15 barrels or less of oil per day or 90,000 cubic feet or less of natural gas per day from certain air quality standards under the Clean Air Act, a federal law passed in 1963 to establish guidelines for air emissions by oil and gas and other industries.

Pfluger argued the measure would help sustain smaller oil and gas producers, which he said are often priced out of the market by costly regulations tailored to larger operators.

“America’s energy security depends on the strength of our domestic production, and small producers are a critical part of that equation,” Pfluger said in a statement. “Too often, these operators are disadvantaged by costly, one-size-fits-all regulations that were never designed with their operations in mind.”

Specifically, the bill would ban the Environmental Protection Agency – which enforces the Clean Air Act – from enforcing any performance standards on marginal wells. It would also block any state regulatory agency from submitting air quality standards or emissions restrictions that include such wells.

The bill drew the ire of environmentalists on the New Mexico side of the Permian Basin, a 50,000-square-foot oil and gas deposit known as the nation’s busiest. It includes the state’s southeast corner and towns such Carlsbad as well as West Texas cities such as Midland and Odessa.

In New Mexico, about 144,000 people live within a half mile of an oil and gas well, argued the Environmental Defense Fund in a May 22 report, many near the low-producing wells that would be exempt under Pfluger’s bill.

The Environmental Defense Fund is a national environmental nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C., with operations throughout the U.S. The fund often lobbies for environmental interests at the state level, including in New Mexico.

Nin Gu, the group’s regulatory manager focused on western states including New Mexico, argued that while marginal wells account for about 6% of oil wells in the U.S., they produce about half of the industry’s methane emissions.

Gu called on New Mexico lawmakers to enact tougher legislation to target methane emissions, increase air monitoring around oil and gas sites and require companies to take steps to prevent releases.

She said such measures were needed in response to an effort at the federal level to reduce environmental regulations, which she said could disproportionately harm New Mexico, the nation’s No. 2 oil-producing state following Texas.

“New legislation to exempt low-producing wells would have damaging, long-term consequences for New Mexico communities already bearing the heaviest burden of oil and gas pollution,” Gu said.

Is New Mexico doing enough?

The New Mexico Environment Department in 2022 did enact regulations targeting emissions of chemicals from oil and gas facilities known to create ground-level ozone, or “smog,” by adding requirements for electric instead of gas-driven pumps and increased monitoring.

That followed a rule adopted in 2021 by the Energy, Mineral and Natural Resources Department requiring that operators capture 98% of produced gas, including methane, by 2026.

And in April, the Environmental Improvement Board, the environment department’s governing body, enacted revised air pollution fees charged to oil and gas operators, raising the fee from $165 per ton of federally defined “hazardous air pollutants” to $258 per ton more than allowable under state requirements for each pollutant.

“The Environmental Protection Agency has defined 188 hazardous air pollutants emitted during industrial activities – most of them chemicals such as benzene, which is often created during oil and gas production.

Larry Behrens, New Mexico-based spokesperson for oil and gas advocacy group Power the Future, said the state’s recent fee increase was part of a pattern by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration of placing overly burdensome rules on industry.

“This action is just the latest example of the Lujan Grisham administration never meeting a fee increase they didn’t like and once again, working families will be stuck holding the bill,” Behrens said. “This move has nothing to do with clean air, it’s really about a pattern of higher costs, less accountability, and bureaucrats raising fees New Mexicans never wanted.”

But Gu said the state still needed tougher rules, specifically to curb the emission of methane, the most potent greenhouse gas emitted during oil and gas production, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

“This proposed federal exemption for low-producing wells makes it even more urgent that New Mexico move forward this year under state and federal authority to adopt strong methane standards and improve existing state protections against oil and gas emissions,” Gu said.

Pfluger countered environmental concerns by arguing that the exemptions for low-producing wells were needed to support small businesses and operators of marginal wells, which he said were critical to the U.S. energy industry.

“Through targeted, common sense reforms to the Clean Air Act, this bill will help keep small producers in business, protect American jobs, and preserve the stable domestic energy supply our economy depends on,” he said.

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.