News
Nuclear Waste Partnership announces Community Grant Recipients
August 14, 2019CARLSBAD, N.M.CARLSBAD, N.M. – Nuclear Waste Partnership (NWP) has announced the recipients of its Spark and Impact Grant programs. Thirteen organizations in Carlsbad, Loving and Hobbs received over $75,000 in funding for the arts, health care, animal welfare, STEM programs, and educational initiatives, to name just a few of the many areas supported this year.
Organizations supported include the Carlsbad Literacy Center, CPAWS, Noah’s Ark, Inspired by Science, Loving Municipal Schools, New Mexico State University Carlsbad, My Power, Weekend Hunger Initiative, The Phoenix House, Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Resource, Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter, Packs for Hunger, Carlsbad Schools LEAP Program and the Dolly Parton Library. “We’re very pleased to be able to help these wonderful organizations and the important work that they perform in our communities,” said Bruce Covert, NWP President and Project Manager. “Our employees volunteer to help on several of these boards, and I hear about the superb work carried out to assist our communities with the challenges they face.” In addition to the grants, NWP has also committed $100,000 in a partnership with the City of Carlsbad. Examples of this include sunscreen for the public to use at the city’s waterpark, as well as a new beach pavilion and upcoming shade structures for several city parks. NWP has also contributed $200,000 to economic development activities with the Carlsbad Department of Development, as well as additional sponsorships for several local events. Local college freshmen also benefited from $20,000 in scholarship funding. Additionally, teachers in the Hobbs and Carlsbad area also benefited through $20,000 in mini grant funding. The $500 grants enable the teachers to bring extra programing into the classroom, thereby benefiting students.
Sean Dunagan to Take Helm at NWP/WIPP, Replacing Covert
August 13, 2019CARLSBAD, N.M.CARLSBAD, N.M. – Sean Dunagan, a recognized nuclear expert with almost 20 years of experience in the management and operation of deep geological repositories for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), will replace Bruce Covert as president and project manager of Nuclear Waste Partnership (NWP), the management and operating contractor at DOE’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
“Bruce has done a tremendous job leading the return to transuranic waste operations at WIPP since his arrival in May 2017,” said Mark Whitney, Executive Vice President of AECOM’s Nuclear and Environment Group. “Under Bruce’s steady hand, NWP returned to steady state operations at the nation’s only deep geologic repository for transuranic waste. “Sean’s experience during WIPP’s recovery phase, coupled with his management experience at Sandia National Laboratories-Carlsbad (SNL-C), makes him an ideal candidate to replace Bruce. His strong relationships and roots in the local area are an added benefit as we continue to focus on our critical community commitment plan. I’m confident Sean will do an outstanding job,” said Whitney. Dunagan will officially take the reins at NWP in September. He is scheduled to spend about two weeks with Covert to ensure a smooth transition occurs. Dunagan’s expertise spans every aspect of nuclear operations at WIPP, including design and recovery, operations, research and development, project management, facility management, quality control, budgeting and regulatory compliance. “This is a tremendous opportunity, and I am grateful,” said Dunagan, who has been associated with the WIPP project since 2002. “WIPP is a valuable resource to our nation and community. As someone who grew up in this area, I recognize the significance of this project and assignment. WIPP has been extremely successful and has a bright future. I’m truly honored to be a part of it.” Most recently, Dunagan served as a Research and Development, Science and Engineering Manager in Special Projects & Remote Site Support for SNL-C. In this capacity, he led the team working on development of the WIPP 3D Performance Assessment effort, which will enable long-term regulatory success. Other responsibilities included ensuring regulatory compliance with 40 CFR 191 and 194 and supervision and responsibility for all facility management activities for SNL-C’s remote site in Carlsbad. Additionally, this included responsibility for strategic planning and budgeting of the long-term plan for all Sandia-WIPP activities. During the WIPP recovery effort following the 2014 fire and radiological events, Dunagan was detailed for more than two years from SNL-C as the DOE Carlsbad Field Office Senior WIPP Recovery Manager. In this position, he successfully led the restart of operations at the WIPP facility following a three-year shutdown. Dunagan earned Master’s of Sciences and Bachelor’s degrees in Industrial Engineering from Texas Tech University. He resides in Carlsbad with his wife, Tara, and their three children. Covert will remain with NWP’s parent company, AECOM, serving in a senior leadership position. He said his time at WIPP has been both gratifying and rewarding. “My wife, Patty, and I were welcomed with open arms when we came to Carlsbad more than two years ago,” said Covert. “I am very proud of what our team has accomplished during my tenure here. We have a fantastic workforce and an extremely supportive community led by Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway. I’m leaving the project in good hands and look forward to working with Sean as he transitions into his new role with the company.”Key Ventilation System Construction Contract Awarded at WIPP
November 19, 2018CARLSBAD, N.M.CARLSBAD, N.M., November 19, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) and Nuclear Waste Partnership (NWP) announced today the award of a key infrastructure contract at the Department’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
NWP President and Project Manager Bruce Covert confirmed that Critical Applications Alliance (CAA) has been awarded a $135 million contract to construct a new ventilation system at WIPP. The Safety Significant Confinement Ventilation System (SSCVS) is key to restoring full operations at the WIPP facility. It will be the largest containment fan system among DOE facilities and the largest construction project at WIPP in close to 30 years. “This is an extremely important day for us,” said Covert. “After an exhaustive and thorough procurement process, we believe CAA is the right contractor to undertake the largest construction project at WIPP in almost three decades.” NWP developed the SSCVS design and will manage construction efforts through completion, said Covert. CAA is headquartered in Carlsbad and comprised of Christensen Building Group and Kilgore Industries, both of Houston, Texas. The ventilation construction project is expected to be completed in 2021. “This is a significant improvement for the WIPP facility in support of DOE’s national mission of nuclear waste cleanup,” said CBFO Manager Todd Shrader. “I want to thank all those who worked so hard to get us to this point.” -MORE- The SSCVS, the largest containment fan system among DOE facilities, provides a modern air supply system designed to run continuously in unfiltered or HEPA filtration mode. The system will provide approximately 540,000 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of air to the underground, significantly more than the 170,000 maximum cfm provided by the current ventilation system. The increased airflow will allow simultaneous mining, rock bolting, waste emplacement, maintenance and experimental scientific operations. In advance of the SSCVS Construction, Xcel Energy completed the required relocation of overhead transmission lines. Initial grading operations, including placement of contractor trailers and excavation of a stormwater runoff pond, were also completed. NWP, an AECOM-led partnership with Babcock & Wilcox and ORANO, is the management and operating contractor at WIPP. WIPP is a DOE facility designed to safely isolate defense-related transuranic (TRU) waste from people and the environment. Waste temporarily stored at sites around the country is shipped to WIPP and permanently disposed in rooms mined out of an ancient salt formation 2,150 feet below the surface. WIPP, which began waste disposal operations in 1999, is located 26 miles outside of Carlsbad, N.M.
Leadership New Mexico selects pair of WIPP employees
September 26, 2018CARLSBAD, N.M.A pair of Nuclear Waste Partnership employees have been selected for a program designed to identify current and emerging leaders throughout New Mexico. NWP President and Project Manager Bruce Covert is in Leadership New Mexico’s Core program, while Community and Governmental Affairs Coordinator Missi Currier is participating in the Connect New Mexico program.
Leadership New Mexico is a nonprofit founded to identify current and emerging leaders throughout New Mexico, enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the state. The group’s vision is to expand the circle of leadership in the state by looking beyond traditional networks for the talent and creativity the state needs, then create opportunities that encourage commitment and action from more people. In the past 23 years, nearly 1,600 participants from 85 communities have completed one of the leadership programs. “One of the fun, kind of cool facts about our relationship with WIPP is that we have had every single general manager from WIPP since Leadership New Mexico began 23 years ago, starting with Joe Epstein,” said Patty Komko, Leadership New Mexico CEO. “Bruce is just an absolute delight. We’re excited for Bruce to join the alumni of general managers for WIPP. And we’re excited to have Missi Currier. She’s an incredibly bright young lady and has a wonderful future with WIPP.” The 10-month Core program, launched 20 years ago, brings together a group of influential leaders from throughout the state to analyze and develop solutions for the state’s top problems. The program goes to communities all over the state to expose participants to the local issues and culture in each region. Connect New Mexico, started in 2007, is designed to identify the state’s top under-40 leaders and develop their leadership skills, learn how New Mexico systems and structures work and explore the critical issues facing the state. Participants also are introduced to recognized leaders who provide insight into a wide-range of issues and topics. The program consists of three four-day sessions in Los Alamos, Las Cruces and Roswell. Komko said the Leadership New Mexico’s longstanding relationship with WIPP makes selection of its people for the program a no-brainer. Tours of WIPP also are often included for the participants. “WIPP plays such a significant role in our state, and a lot of people don’t realize it,” Komko said. “It’s also a mystery, of what goes on ‘down in the hole,’ so to speak. We not only enjoy having participants from WIPP in both of our programs, but we enjoy coming to visit WIPP. “We just think that what WIPP does within the state and within the region is really important. So at every opportunity, we think it’s important to show people what you do and how you contribute to economic development within our state and the region.”WIPP wins big at national mine rescue competition
August 1, 2018CARLSBAD, N.M.At nationals in Kentucky, WIPP's mine rescue teams competed in multiple competitions, finishing in or near the top five in all categories
Additional Details
Nuclear Waste Partnership named Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year
July 23, 2018CARLSBAD, N.M.The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce held their annual banquet July 19 at the Pecos River Village Conference Center where Nuclear Waste Partnership was awarded the Carlsbad Chamber Business of the Year.
The citation for the award read as follows: • This company is a proud and active member of not only the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, but the community of Carlsbad as well. This company continues to grow their volunteer efforts to support their town in which they are proud to live, work and play. • Their employees and leaders serve on numerous board and committees throughout the community, such as: Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, Carlsbad Department of Development, and United Way of Carlsbad & South Eddy County, Boys & Girls Club, Carlsbad Medical Center, Main Street, Museum & Art Center, Assistance League of Carlsbad, Rotary of Carlsbad, and Habitat for Humanity, Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter, and many more. • This company carries the tradition of conducting and participating in many service opportunities, fundraisers, food drives, coat drives and other opportunities that provide support and encouragement for their employees to engage throughout the community of Carlsbad. • With a focus on Science, Technology, and Engineering, this company has engaged with the Carlsbad, Hobbs and Loving Municipal School Systems to continue to promote and encourage a love of learning at an early age and beyond. They have also partnered to serve on advisory boards and councils. • This company has also pledged $500,000 to local entities to support education, economic development, community development and the City of Carlsbad. They have also introduced a new grant program to help local nonprofits throughout Southeastern New Mexico. • While this company has employee involvement in just about every community event, they have continually supported Christmas on the Pecos. Their company ensures Christmas on the Pecos with employees who continually volunteer to serve as the Blanket Brigade, which is a vital part of the event. It is a great honor and with much appreciation that we present to you this year’s Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the year: Nuclear Waste Partnership, LLC. The event also served as a passing of the gavel; Nuclear Waste Partnership Communication Manager Donavan Mager will serve as the chairman of the Board for 2018 - 2019Carlsbad non-profits get boost
April 25, 2018CARLSBAD, N.M.The Carlsbad Community Foundation celebrated thousands of dollars in fundraising efforts, in a meeting hosted with the Nuclear Waste Partnership, Tuesday at the Skeen-Whitlock Building.
Additional DetailsWIPP: NWP contract extended for three years
September 19, 2017CARLSBAD, N.M.The U.S. Department of Energy awarded NWP a three-year contract extension with a price tag of almost $1 billion. The $928 million contract between NWP and DOE was announced Friday to extend until Sept. 30, 2020. NWP manages the DOE's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
Additional Details2017 Scholarship Announcement
May 8, 2017CARLSBAD, N.M.Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC (NWP) continued its commitment to education with the recent award of $10,000 in scholarships to high school seniors and local scholarship organizations in southeastern New Mexico.
Additional Details (Eddy County)
Additional Details (Lea County)
2017 Teaching Mini Grant Announcement
May 8, 2017CARLSBAD, N.M.Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC (NWP) recently awarded local teachers outheastern New Mexico an Excellence-in-Teaching grant to recognize their commitment to education. The $500 grants are aimed at elementary school teachers who bring out a long-lasting interest for science, mathematics and technology among their students.
Additional Details (Eddy County)
Additional Details (Lea County)
AECOM names Bruce Covert president and project manager of its Nuclear Waste Partnership at Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
May 4, 2017Aiken, S.C.AECOM, a premier, fully integrated global infrastructure firm, announced today that Bruce Covert has been appointed president and project manager of Nuclear Waste Partnership (NWP), the AECOM-led company that manages the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
Additional Details
Nuclear Waste Partnership Announces Scholarship Recipients
May 23, 2016CARLSBAD, N.M.Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC (NWP) continued its commitment to education with the recent award of more than $10,000 in scholarships to high school seniors in southeastern New Mexico.
Additional Details (Eddy County)
Additional Details (Lea County)
Breidenbach to Replace McQuinn as NWP President and Project Manager
April 16, 2015CARLSBAD, N.M.Philip Breidenbach, a nuclear expert with more than 30 years of experience in Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear and high-hazard operations, will replace Bob McQuinn as president and project manager of Nuclear Waste Partnership (NWP), the management and operating contractor at Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
Additional Details
Nuclear Waste Partnership Mentors Local Small Business
March 24, 2015CARLSBAD, N.MNuclear Waste Partnership LLC (NWP) is joining NFT and its new EPD Division this week to celebrate the benefits of its Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored Mentor-Protégé partnership that began more than year ago.
Additional Details
Nuclear Waste Partnership Announces Scholarship Recipients
June 3, 2013CARLSBAD, N.MNuclear Waste Partnership LLC (NWP) continued it commitment to education with the recent award of more than $10,000 in scholarships to high school seniors in southeastern New Mexico.
Additional Details
Hobbs Teachers Awarded Excellence-in-Teaching Mini Grants
June 3, 2013CARLSBAD, N.MNuclear Waste Partnership LLC (NWP) recently selected 13 HobbsNuclear Waste Partnership LLC (NWP) recently selected 13 Hobbs
elementary school teachers as the recipients of Excellence-in-Teaching Mini Grants.
Additional Details
Nuclear Waste Partnership Announces Scholarship Recipients
May 31, 2013 CARLSBAD, N.M.Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC (NWP) continued its commitment to education with the recent award of more than $10,000 in scholarships to high school seniors in southeastern New Mexico.
Additional Details
Carlsbad Teachers Awarded Excellence-in-Teaching Mini Grants
May 31, 2013CARLSBAD, N.M.Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC (NWP) recently selected nine Carlsbad elementary school teachers as the recipients of Excellence-in-Teaching Mini Grants.
Additional Details
URS Award Announcement
Apr 20, 2012SAN FRANCISCO(BUSINESS WIRE) --URS Corporation (NYSE: URS) today announced that a URS-Ied partnership has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Energy to manage and operate the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, New Mexico. Under the terms of the contract, the URS-Ied Limited Liability Company, Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC, will manage and operate WIPP beginning on October 1, 2012. (More >)
Additional Details
DOE Award Announcement
April 20, 2012CARLSBAD, N.M.The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today that Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC (members comprised of URS Energy & Construction, Inc., of Boise, Idaho, and Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Group, Inc., of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Major Subcontractor, AREVA Federal Services LLC, of Bethesda, Maryland) has been awarded a $1.3 billion contract for management and operating (M&O) at DOE's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Additional Details
B&W Award Announcement
April 23, 2012CHARLOTTE, N.C.The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W) (NYSE:BWC) is pleased to announce that Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Department of Energy for management and operations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Group, Inc. (B&WTSG) is a team member of Nuclear Waste Partnership, which is led by URS.
Additional Details