NMED NEWS RELEASE

On January 24, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) received a request for a 60-day extension of the WIPP Renewal Draft Permit comment period signed by 14 individuals representing 11 organizations. Three reasons were given for supporting the extension request, including the conflicting timeframe of the 2023 New Mexico Legislative Session.

The comment period already included 15 days above the requisite 45 days required by the regulations. However, given the reasons listed in the request and the important nature of the Renewal process, NMED has granted the request. The comment period will now end on April 19, 2023 at 5:00 PM MT.

This change is reflected on NMED’s Public Comment Portal. The January 24, 2023 extension request, as well as the approval letter, may be found on the NMED WIPP News webpage at https://www.env.nm.gov/hazardous-waste/wipp/.

When a public hearing is granted in this matter, the comment period will automatically be extended to the close of the public hearing, in accordance with 20.4.1.901.A.6 NMAC.