Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. BEN RAY LUJÁN of New Mexico. Madam Chair, for over 70 years, our national laboratories have worked to ensure the security of our Nation. We have a responsibility to be good stewards of the environment in relation to the historic and ongoing radiological work at these laboratories.

At Los Alamos, there are legal obligations, including the 3706 campaign to remove transuranic, or TRU, waste and the broader 2005 consent order between the DOE and the State of New Mexico to remediate legacy waste at Los Alamos.

Two major wildfires near Los Alamos National Lab have highlighted the importance of removing aboveground waste from this facility. The DOE was nearing its completion of the 3706 campaign when the Nation's only repository for TRU waste, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, experienced, first, a fire and then a radiological release.

As we work to restore WIPP operations, we must ensure that our national laboratories have the resources to meet their legal obligations for environmental remediation. We also must recognize our moral obligation to these communities that have served our great Nation.

It is with this intention that I request the chair to work with me and Representatives from other affected communities, as this bill moves forward to conference, to ensure that adequate and appropriate funds are available not only for the restoration operations of WIPP, but also for legally-mandated environmental remediation efforts at Los Alamos and at other affected national laboratories.

I thank you for this time to address this important issue. I look forward to working with you to find a solution, Mr. Chairman.

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