IG: NNSA HAS MADE IMPROVEMENTS IN STOCKPILE SURVEILLANCE EFFORTS

The National Nuclear Security Administration has increased laboratory surveillance tests by 142 percent in Fiscal Year 2011 to address concerns about insufficient surveillance data for annual stockpile assessments, the Department of Energy’s Inspector General said in an audit report released yesterday. The increase, combined with a new way of assessing performance of the agency’s enhanced surveillance program, dealt with concerns about the surveillance program identified by the agency in 2010, the IG said. The increase in laboratory testing came at the request of the NNSA’s lab directors, who had complained that the surveillance program was not “providing the data from the stockpile to meet the requirements to conduct rigorous system assessments.” In response, the NNSA more than doubled the number of laboratory tests, from 24 to 58, and increased funding for the program by $58 million. “NNSA plans to continue funding the surveillance program at or above the FY 2011 level for future years,” the IG said. “According to a senior NNSA official, the Laboratory Directors assured NNSA that the proposed out-year funding will be sufficient to perform surveillance activities to affirm confidence in the stockpile.”