Washington, D.C. (January 9, 2018) Congressman Steve Pearce released the following statement after two senior level executives with the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) received the 2017 Meritorious Rank Award, the nation's highest civilian career leadership recognition. Todd Shrader, Manager of EM's Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO), received this award for his outstanding accomplishments relating to waste management in southeastern New Mexico.

"The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is vital to national security and is essential to the economy of Carlsbad and southeastern New Mexico. The success of the site is a testament to the workforce, the community, and the leaders who have worked tirelessly to help WIPP reopen. Todd Shrader has been an instrumental part of this process. He was brought in during WIPP's greatest time of need in 2015 and his influence was immediately seen. Todd is extremely deserving of this award. I congratulate him on receiving this honor and look forward to continuing to work with him on WIPP," stated Rep. Pearce.

According to the release by Energy Management, only 5 percent of career Senior Executive Service (SES) or a level equivalent receive this award. Todd Shrader has served with CBFO since 2015 and was the instrumental force in the recovery of WIPP, the nation's only disposal site for transuranic waste from DOE sites around the country, located in Carlsbad, NM.