Nuclear Security & Deterrence Vol. 18 No. 15 Acting NNSA Chief: Approximately Half of $1.2 Billion Spent on UPF Wasted
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Nuclear Weapons & Stockpile
NNSA Advisory Panel Pushing Accountability, Cultural Change
Todd Jacobson NS&D Monitor 4/11/2015 The Congressionally appointed advisory panel on National Nuclear Security Administration governance won’t wrap up its final report until later this summer, but the chairmen of the panel told the Senate Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee this week they will have the "essence of the report" completed by Memorial Day. The […]
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Budget & Policy
Held: Further Cuts to NNSA Weapons Budgets Will ‘Break’ 3+2 Strategy
Todd Jacobson NS&D Monitor 4/11/2014 The National Nuclear Security Administration’s strategy for maintaining and modernizing the nation’s nuclear deterrent can’t absorb any more cuts or schedule delays, acting NNSA Administrator Bruce Held told a Senate panel this week. The Administration has requested $8.3 billion for NNSA weapons work in Fiscal Year 2015, a $533.9 million […]
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Nuclear Weapons & Stockpile
NNSA Finally Gets a Permanent Leader As New Chief Klotz Is Confirmed by Senate
Todd Jacobson NS&D Monitor 4/11/2014 More than seven months after Frank Klotz was nominated to head up the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Senate finally confirmed the retired lieutenant general, clearing him by a voice vote late in the afternoon on April 8. Klotz’s confirmation ends the NNSA’s 15-month gap without a permanent administrator; Neile […]
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Budget & Policy
Sen. Feinstein Opposing Weapons Budget Boost, Cuts to Nonprolif. And Cleanup
Kenneth Fletcher NS&D Monitor 4/11/2014 The Department of Energy requested a funding boost for weapons projects in Fiscal Year 2015 at the expense of nonproliferation and cleanup programs, Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said this week, and appropriators are looking for ways to rebalance that funding. Feinstein pressed Secretary of […]
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Delivery Systems & Nuclear Triad
Dept. Of Defense Announces Force Structure Plan under New START
Todd Jacobson NS&D Monitor 4/11/2014 The Department of Defense this week announced its force structure implementation plan under the New START Treaty, spreading cuts out across the three legs of the nuclear triad. Under the plan, the Pentagon will trim the size of its deployed intercontinental ballistic missile force by 50 ICBMs to 400 but […]
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Budget & Policy
DNFSB Considering Establishing An Ombudsman Capability
Board Working To Address Staff Morale Concerns Mike Nartker NS&D Monitor 4/11/2015 The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board is considering establishing some sort of ombudsman capability as part of its efforts to address staff morale concerns, DNFSB Chairman Peter Winokur told NS&D Monitor this week. A new ombudsman was one of several recommendations developed by […]
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Uranium Enrichment & Fuel Cycle
NNSA Funds to Be Shifted for Continued Support of ACP
Kenneth Fletcher NS&D Monitor 4/11/2015 While a Department of Energy program supporting the American Centrifuge Project is set to come to an end next week, DOE is deciding how to reprogram National Nuclear Security Administration funds to keep the project alive. Last week, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz said the Oak Ridge National Laboratory will […]
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Contracts & Procurement
New Y-12/Pantex Contractor Continuing Transition Activities
NS&D Monitor 4/11/2015 Incoming Y-12/Pantex contractor Consolidated Nuclear Security is continuing the earlier stages of its transition at the two nuclear weapons sites, gradually introducing the company’s philosophies, implementation plans and management team leaders. Earlier this week, CNS emphasized safety and posted its first "safety message" on its transition web site. It was called, "Respect […]
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Budget & Policy
DOE on Hot Seat with Lawmakers over MOX Suspension Plans
Kenneth Fletcher NS&D Monitor 4/11/2015 Department of Energy officials are still in the hot seat with lawmakers over the decision to suspend the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility project, and this week they did not provide any specifics on alternatives for plutonium disposition. DOE last month announced that due to rising costs it would immediately […]
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Non-Proliferation
House Bill Would Suspend All NNSA Nonproliferation Work in Russia
Todd Jacobson NS&D Monitor 4/11/2015 Responding to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) is planning to soon introduce a bill that would suspend all National Nuclear Security Administration work in Russia. The wide-ranging bill would prohibit the "contact, cooperation or transfer of technology" between the NNSA and the Russian Federal until Energy Secretary […]
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National Laboratories
At Los Alamos
Mcmillan Lays out Needs for Pu Strategy With a 2019 deadline to get out of the aged Chemistry and Metallurgy Research facility looming five years from now, Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Charlie McMillan this week outlined key requirements for the lab’s plutonium strategy. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, McMillan said […]
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National Laboratories
At Oak Ridge
Security Upgrade Project Wrapped up at Y-12 The National Nuclear Security Administration said this week that a project to upgrade the security infrastructure at the Y-12 National Security Complex was completed ahead of schedule and approximately $20 million less than its initial $72 million budget. The Security Improvements Project (SIP), which the NNSA said cost […]
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Budget & Policy
Wrap Up: In Congress, In the Industry
IN CONGRESS Subcommittees of the House Armed Services Committee will mark up their portions of the Fiscal Year 2015 Defense Authorization Act April 30 and May 1 before the full committee marks up the bill May 7, committee chairman Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) said this week. The Strategic Forces Subcommittee, which authorizes and sets policy […]