Waste Isolation Pilot Plant office in Carlsbad will remain
CARLSBAD, N.M. — The U.S. government is reportedly no longer terminating the lease of the office overseeing the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez said the General Services Administration informed him Thursday of their decision. He said the lease was set for termination on Aug. 31.
Now, the office will stay open. That means employees can continue to ensure nuclear waste is processed and stored safely and correctly at the WIPP.
“The attempted closure of the WIPP office was reckless and short-sighted,” Vasquez said.“ I stood up for Carlsbad workers and our national security interests as soon as I heard of this potential closure. I’ll continue holding the administration accountable when uninformed decisions threaten the livelihoods of New Mexicans.”
Here is the letter Vasquez’s office received:
Official notice of revocation of Lease Amendment TRM under lease number LNM14421 .
Dear CARLSBAD PARTNERS LLC,
This letter shall serve as written notice of the Government’s revocation of its prior notice to exercise termination rights and revocation of Lease Amendment #TRM, dated 8/31/2025. Lease number LNM14421 located at 4021 National Parks Hwy Carlsbad, NM 88220 is in full force and effect.
Thank you for making your space available to the Government.
Sincerely,
Eduardo Vidal
National Lease Contracting Officer
Lessor Acknowledgement
“This week, Rep. Gabe Vasquez, Sen. Lujan and I demanded that the Carlsbad DOE office and WIPP stay open. I’m pleased to announce that on my call with Secretary Wright, he promised they will,” U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich said on social media.
However, a Department of Energy building in Carlsbad, New Mexico is still on the Department of Government Efficiency’s online list of leases being looked at for termination:
“The Carlsbad community deserves stability and a commitment from the federal government — not last-minute decisions that disrupt people’s lives and threaten our nation’s national security,” Vasquez added.
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