New Mexico completes inspection of federal nuke repository

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico regulatory officials have completed their inspection of the federal government's underground nuclear waste repository as the troubled facility looks to reopen. State Environment Secretary Butch Tongate says the onsite review covered issues that date back to a 2014 fire involving one of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's mining trucks and a separate radiation leak that forced the repository's closure. Tongate acknowledged the facility is a critical asset to the nation's security and the state's economy but that regulators needs to ensure corrective actions have been taken and violations have been addressed. Tongate says once the inspectors compile their observations, the state will formally notify repository managers and the U.S. Energy Department of their findings. He did not offer any details of what inspectors noted during last week's visit underground.