High-level nuclear threat to America's energy independence

October 10, 2025

The Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeast New Mexico is America's most prolific oil-producing region. It is vital to our economy, energy independence, and national security.

So, it makes no sense that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted a permit to Interim Storage Partners, LLC, to store high-level nuclear waste ABOVE GROUND right smack dab in the middle of it.

We've seen the rise of drone warfare, with Ukraine using drones to attack Russia and Russia using drones to attack Poland. Think of what an attack right here on American soil would do. A release of high-level nuclear waste above ground could shut down America's biggest oilfield for decades or centuries and make us dependent upon foreign oil imports.

When we first got engaged on this issue last year, we talked with Texas Senator Bob Hall. Senator Hall has been working to protect our power grids from attacks by foreign adversaries, and he agreed this is a really bad idea.

Last month, we met with White House staff and members of the House Homeland Security Committee to try to find a way to block this.

OGWA President Matt Coday and Congressman Josh Brecheen (R-OK)

Yesterday's announcement that Holtec was dropping its bid for a nuclear waste storage facility near the Texas-New Mexico state line is good news. We must protect our lives, jobs, energy independence, and national security.

Tommy Taylor, Monica Perales, more great leaders at Fasken Oil and Ranch and other Permian Basin producers, and a whole of Andrews, Texas, residents have been leading the fight against the NRC for years.

Follow their work at https://www.protectthebasin.com/.