Proposed waste isolation pilot project (WIPP) and impacts in the state of New Mexico: a socio-economic analysis. Final report

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6429535· OSTI ID:6429535

Cummings, R. D.; Burness, H. S.; Norton, R. D.

This document is a final report for research conducted concerning the socio-economic impacts in the State of New Mexico that might attend the construction and operation of the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). The proposed site for the WIPP, known as the Los Medanos site, is in Southeastern New Mexico's Eddy County, some 25 miles east of Carlsbad, New Mexico and some 40 miles from Hobbs, New Mexico, in adjacent Lea County. The purpose as set out in the US Department of Energy's environmental impact statements is for storage of TRU waste from the US defense program and the construction of a research and development area for experiments concerning the isolation of all types of nuclear waste in salt. The intended purpose of the study is to identify, measure (when possible) and assess the range of potential socio-economic impacts in the State that may be attributable to the WIPP. Every effort has been made by the authors to approach this task in an objective manner. In efforts to provide an objective analysis of the WIPP, however, particular attention was required in providing a comprehensive review of potential impacts. This means that however unlikely an impact might seem, the authors have purposely avoided pre-judging the potential magnitude of the impact and have applied their best efforts to measure it. On the other hnd, this study is not intended to provide a definitive calculation regarding the net balance of WIPP-related benefits and costs. To help ensure objectivity, two advisory boards, Technical Advisory Board and Public Advisory Board, were formed at the outset of the project for the purpose of providing periodic reviews of research efforts.

• Research Organization: New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque (USA). Dept. of Economics
• OSTI ID: 6429535
• Report Number(s): DOE/TIC-1021731; EMD-2-67-1139
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
PILOT PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RISK ASSESSMENT
SALT DEPOSITS
SOCIAL IMPACT
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SOUTHWEST REGION
TRANSPORT
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES