Reports Pertaining to WIPP Incident (not published by our team)
Reports by LANL or Shared by LANL in July 2016
EPC-DO-16-179_Final_Summary_Report_Nitrat_Salt_Surrogate_Testing.pdf
LA-UR-15-27180_Options_Assessment_Report.pdf
RNS_Engineering_Options_LA-UR-28900.pdf
TAP__Krahn_Final_Report_4-26_16.pdf
Technical Assessment Team
An independent Technical Assessment Team (TAT), created by the Department of Energy conducted its own review of the mechanisms and chemical reactions that may have contributed to the failure of the waste drum.
Their full report (issued March 26, 2015) can be accessed here: Technical Assessment Team Report
A summary of their findings, is available here: Technical Assessment Team Fact Sheet
Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center (CEMRC)
CEMRC is a division of the College of Engineering at New Mexico State University. Their WIPP monitoring project initiated during the WIPP pre-disposal phase and has continued during the operational phase. This group, independent of DOE oversight, conducts environmental research in the vicinity of WIPP. Their assessment of radiation release is provided in their report issued in December 2014: CEMRC Independent Assessment of Underground Radiation Release from Feb. 14th WIPP Incident
Accident Investigation Boards
The Department of Energy (DOE) established two Accident Investigation Boards (AIB) to assess the WIPP safety systems programs and processes at the federal and contractor levels. These investigations include analysis of training and qualifications, maintenance, and emergency management response to the events. The AIB report on the haul truck fire was released March 7, 2014.
Accident Investigation Board Report on February 5 Fire
Accident Investigation Board Summary Slides
The AIB report on the February 14 radiological event is being issued in two phases. Phase I focuses on the release of radioactive material from the underground to the environment and the follow-on response to the release. The Phase I AIB Report was released April 24, 2014.
Accident Investigation Board Report on February 14 Radiological Event (Phase 1)
Accident Investigation Board Summary Slides
The Phase II report is focused on determining the direct cause of the release of the material. It was released April 16, 2015.
Accident Investigation Board Phase II Report on the February 14 Radiological Event
Accident Investigation Board Phase II Summary Slides
WIPP Recovery Plan
The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Recovery Plan outlines the necessary steps to resume limited waste disposal operations in the first quarter of calendar year 2016.