Learn more :: Article Archives :: Los Alamos Resumes Less-Risky Sectors Los Alamos resumes less-risky sectors Work at Los Alamos National Laboratory is gradually resuming, but the riskiest and most classified activities are still closed after a summer security scandal prompted a full shutdown, spokeswoman Kathy DeLucas said Wednesday. Linton Brooks, director of the National Nuclear Security Administration, ordered an indefinite suspension of almost all operations at the nuclear weapons facility on July 16, a day after announcing the disappearance of two computer disks containing classified data. One week later, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham halted work at all Department of Energy-owned labs in areas that feature sensitive hardware. Officials at Los Alamos began reopening less sensitive areas of the lab in late July and have been opening divisions one at a time ever since, DeLucas said. "Back in July we said, 'Let's back away from the edge of the cliff and examine what we do, why we do it and how we do it,'" DeLucas said. "Since then, it's basically been a risk assessment." All activities were organized according to risk level after the self-imposed order to shut down and have been activated with the least classified and hazardous opening first. Critical departments, such as emergency response teams and the public affairs office, were not effected by the shutdown, she said. Level one activities , which include mainly office work, began to restart in late July and were all completely operational Aug. 18, DeLucas said. Activities defined as level two, such as work involving heavy construction equipment, classified computing and maintenance operations, are about 25 percent online, DeLucas said. The most dangerous and classified activities, using high explosives, hazardous chemicals or nuclear materials, are all still suspended indefinitely, DeLucas said. DeLucas said it is too early to tell if there are any lasting effects of the most recent security scandal, but lab officials are more aware of what's going on at the facility. The security investigation is ongoing, and 19 lab employees have been suspended because of it, DeLucas said. "We've realized the government and taxpayers are putting in a large investment, and I think we're going to be better than ever when we come out of this," DeLucas said. Los Alamos is owned by the DOE but has been managed by the University of California System since 1943. It was also the site of the development for the first atomic bomb. In April 2003, the DOE put the management of the lab up for bid for the first time in its history. The National Nuclear Safety Administration, a division of the DOE, is expected to ask for management proposals by the end of the year. The University of Texas System has expressed interest in bidding on the contract. The Austin American-Statesman reported in August that the UT System's interest in managing the lab is decreasing, possibly due to the security breaches and the announcement by defense contractor Lockheed Martin to drop out of the bidding. "We have not made any decision to bid on Los Alamos , and have also not made a decision not to," said Randa Safady, vice chancellor for external relations for the UT System. "The alleged security breaches at Los Alamos would factor into anyone's decision. We have to look at all of the issues, and certainly that was a big one." Did You Know? 1943 December 1999 September 2000 December 2002 January 2003 January 2003 April 2003 February 2004 June 28, 2004 July 7, 2004 July 16, 2004 July 23, 2004 Fall 2004 Published in the Daily Texan. Learn more :: Article Archives :: Los Alamos Resumes Less-Risky Sectors |
a project of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation | www.wagingpeace.org
