Former Senator Domenici, Dr. James Conca, Join List of Confirmed Speakers for Carlsbad Nuclear Summit

    CARLSBAD, NM, January 27, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Carlsbad Department of Development has announced that former state Senator Pete Domenici and Dr. James Conca will be speaking at the National Nuclear Fuel Cycle Summit (NNFCS), taking place April 2-5, 2012 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The NNFCS will focus on the nuclear fuel cycle discussion, and will include renowned experts from the various nuclear-related industries from across the nation.

Panel discussions will provide members of the public and policymakers with valuable insights into and strategies addressing our national nuclear fuel cycle policies, our nation's growing energy needs, nuclear waste management, regulation, and funding. Other summit highlights include limited tours of the only deep geologic repository for nuclear waste and the only repository licensed to manage and permanently dispose of defense-related transuranic (TRU) waste, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), and an evening dinner and reception on Lake Carlsbad.

Domenici, elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972, became the first Republican senator from New Mexico in 38 years. With his reelection in 2002, Domenici became the longest-serving senator in New Mexico's history and one of the top 15 longest-serving senators in U.S. history. During his tenure in the Senate, Domenici was deeply involved with a number of issues, including energy and natural resources, behavioral health and budgetary matters. His book, "A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy," was published in 2004. Senator Domenici is a committee member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future.

Conca is a Senior Scientist with the RJLee Group. Prior to joining RJLG, Conca was Director of the New Mexico State University-Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center, the independent monitoring facility for the Department of Energy WIPP nuclear repository. He came to NMSU from Los Alamos National Laboratory where he was Project Leader for Radionuclide Geochemistry.

Other confirmed speakers for the NNFCS include F. David Martin, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Environment Department; Takeshi Ota, Manager at the Nuclear Fuel Management Group; Dr. Frank L. Parker, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Vanderbilt University; and John H. Bemis, Cabinet Secretary-Designate for the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.

As the home of the WIPP facility, Carlsbad and Eddy County have long been strong supporters of the nuclear industry. "Since its inception, WIPP has provided hundreds of safe, well-paying jobs and economic stimulus to our community," said Waters. "Not many communities across the nation are as supportive of the nuclear industry as is Carlsbad."

In addition to the WIPP facility, Carlsbad and the surrounding Eddy and Lea Counties boast two National Laboratories, the URENCO Nuclear Enrichment Facility, the U.S. Department of Energy's Carlsbad Field Office, and will soon have the ELEA National Consolidated Interim Storage Facility on a 1,000 acre reservation jointly owned by the Cities of Carlsbad and Hobbs and the Counties of Eddy and Lea. These and other nuclear-related ventures (including plans for a local Small Modular Reactor) make Carlsbad a natural location for hosting this summit of national importance.

The National Nuclear Fuel Cycle Summit takes place April 2-5, 2012. For more information, contact the CDOD at (800) 658-2709 or e-mail [email protected]. Log on to www.NuclearFuelCycleSummit.org for up to date conference information and to register.

The Carlsbad Department of Development is a member supported non-profit organization. Members represent over 100 chief executive officers in industry, business and finance, the City of Carlsbad, Eddy County Board of Commissioners, New Mexico State University-Carlsbad, and other organizations. The Carlsbad Department of Development is your first contact for business assistance in Carlsbad and Eddy County.

For additional information regarding this release
Carlsbad Department of Development / News Division
Office: 575-887-6562
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.NuclearFuelCycleSummit.org

The Carlsbad Department of Development is the economic development agency for the City of Carlsbad and Eddy County, New Mexico.

The Carlsbad Department of Development promotes the economic and general welfare of the citizens of the City of Carlsbad and South Eddy County, New Mexico.

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