Staff Report
Associated Press
Associated Press
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The U.S. Department of Energy and one of its contractors have reached out to New Mexico, asking for an opportunity to discuss $54 million in penalties stemming from mishaps that forced the closure of the federal government's troubled nuclear waste repository.
A senior DOE official and the contractor that manages the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southern New Mexico contacted state officials on Monday.
New Mexico Environment Secretary Flynn says it marks a positive first step in what's sure to be a long process.
On Saturday, the state hand-delivered two compliance orders to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz that outlined numerous violations at the repository and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
