DOE Awards $11.7 Million to the Southeast New Mexico College

Cincinnati – Today, the Department of Energy (DOE) awarded a non-competitive financial assistance Cooperative Agreement (DE-EM0005275) to the Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC), of Carlsbad, New Mexico for educational programs that will enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of current Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) employees while building and training the next generation workforce for this important national cleanup resource.

SENMC will work closely with DOE and WIPP to design and provide education and training programs for current and future employees who reside in the Carlsbad and adjacent communities.  The training programs will help address the current worker shortage and increase interest in jobs at WIPP while building a pipeline of well trained and qualified workers for the future.

 “The communities of Southeast New Mexico have long been the backbone of the WIPP workforce and their contributions to the success of the WIPP mission cannot be understated. The Carlsbad Field Office is excited by this opportunity to team up with SENMC to educate and train members of our community here in Southeast New Mexico.  This new cooperative agreement represents a landmark investment that will further strengthen the New Mexico economy by helping prepare students at Southeast New Mexico College for great careers for years to come,” said Mark Bollinger, Manager, Carlsbad Field Office.

The total estimated value of the Cooperative Agreement is $11,724,598 with a period of performance of five years from August 15, 2023, through August 14, 2028. 

For more than 30 years, EM has remained focused on addressing the environmental legacy of nuclear weapons development and nuclear energy research that helped end World War II, win the Cold War, and position the United States as a leader in clean nuclear energy. Collectively, EM is delivering results that are protecting the environment, supporting communities and enabling a concerted focus on safely completing the mission sooner and more efficiently.

Additional information regarding the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Site is available at: /em/waste-isolation-pilot-plant-wipp.