Two members of the Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance (ELEA) said momentum continued in southeast New Mexico for a nuclear waste storage facility outside of Carlsbad despite opposition from some in New Mexico's government.
Eddy County Alliance members Susan Crockett and Jack Volpato - both members of the Energy Communities Alliance members as well - touted increased tax revenue for the State of New Mexico, Eddy County and Lea County along with high paying stable jobs at the facility which would house high-level spent nuclear fuel on nearly 1,000 acres of ELEA owned land near the border of both counties.
Crockett said the proposed project from Holtec International could add $12 million a year to New Mexico’s economy.
Volpato said the Holtec project could provide stability to Eddy County’s economy when the oil and gas market fluctuates.
During the 2022 New Mexico Legislative Session, Sen. Jeff Steinborn (R-36) from Las Cruces presented Senate Bill 54 which would have prohibited issuance of permits from the State of New Mexico for wastewater discharge and other ventures needed to operate the site.
SB 54 made it through the Senate Conservation Committee but was held up in the Senate Judiciary Committee and did not advance further.
House Bill 127, a similar measure made it to the floor of the New Mexico House where it was tabled.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham opposed the project and said there was unacceptable risk to public safety and the environment.
Last year, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that the State of New Mexico filed suit against the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the United States seeking to stop the project from advancing.
