An investigation into the initial response to the Feb. 14 radiation release at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant by a Department of Energy Accident Investigation Board could be released as early as today. The report is expected to be highly critical of initial response efforts by both DOE and URS-led WIPP contractor Nuclear Waste Partnership. Notably, an initial assessment released by the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board found that a poor initial response to the event led to unnecessary worker contamination. The cause of the release has yet to be identified as teams continue to explore the underground. Last month a separate accident investigation board report into the Feb. 5 underground salt truck fire at WIPP found issues with the site’s response to that event and found that a lack of proper maintenance contributed to the fire.
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