46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

REQUESTING THE NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION TO LOCATE THE MODERN PIT FACILITY NEAR THE WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT IN EDDY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, the production, manufacture, rehabilitation and maintenance of plutonium triggers for the United States nuclear weapons stockpile is vital to the national security of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the national nuclear posture review identified the lack of a modern pit facility as a "critical readiness gap", which must be filled to ensure the viability of the United States nuclear weapons stockpile deterrent; and

WHEREAS, the national nuclear security administration, a division of the United States department of energy, has initiated an environmental impact statement to determine the need and location for a modern pit facility, and the waste isolation pilot plant site has been identified as one of five final candidate sites; and

WHEREAS, WIPP, the waste isolation pilot plant, was created by the federal government to dispose of all defense-related transuranic waste resulting from the nation's nuclear weapons program and, thereby, makes a continued nuclear weapons program possible by providing a safe and secure site for final waste disposition; and

WHEREAS, the goal to minimize the transportation of plutonium in its various forms, including wastes, across the nation's highways is in the nation's best interest; and

WHEREAS, certain geographical, geological, environmental and institutional considerations, including the proximity to the WIPP site and the United States department of energy Carlsbad field office, strongly suggest that the land withdrawn for WIPP is the appropriate site for locating such modern pit facility; and

WHEREAS, the great state of New Mexico has long focused its resources and energy toward enhancing our nation's security through its history of nuclear energy and weapons development;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the national nuclear safety administration be requested to locate the modern pit facility in southeast New Mexico near Carlsbad; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to take all reasonable actions in furtherance of locating the modern pit facility in southeast New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the congressional delegation and to the governor.