Vol. 28, No. 24 
NNSA awards Pantex contract to BWXT-led group
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Budget & Policy
House passes NDAA sans RECA, restores B-52 nuke capabilities
The House considered, and passed 217-199, a version of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act this week that includes a provision to restore nuclear capabilities to the B-52 bomber, but not an amendment restoring the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala., on behalf of Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), proposed an amendment Wednesday […]
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Delivery Systems & Nuclear Triad
House appropriators’ report advises $324 million cut to Sentinel, passes in defense bill
The House Appropriations Committee is recommending a $324 million cut to the U.S. Air Force’s research and development request of $3.7 billion for the Northrop Grumman LGM-35A Sentinel future intercontinental ballistic missile. “This decrease is the result of insufficient justification and program uncertainty for execution needs in fiscal year 2025,” according to the House Appropriations […]
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Innovation & Infrastructure
NNSA picks Estuary for a solar project at NNSS
The Department of Energy and its Nevada National Security Administration Wednesday announced the selection of a solar developer to pursue a carbon-free electric project at the Nevada National Security Site. Under the Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative, DOE and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have selected Estuary Power LLC & NV Energy as the […]
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Budget & Policy
NSC official announces more ‘competitive’ nuclear strategy, lawmaker sets eyes on NDAA
A top National Security Council official said Friday at an Arms Control Association conference the United States will need to employ a more assertive nuclear strategy in light of the posture being taken by Russia and China. Pranay Vaddi, special assistant to President Joe Biden and senior director for arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation at […]
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Budget & Policy
White House says proposed NDAA restriction on nuclear site visitors goes too far
President Joe Biden’s administration objected Tuesday to a provision in the House Committee on Armed Services version of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act that would ban Chinese or Russian nationals entry into nuclear weapons facilities and national security laboratories. The statement cites Section 3111 of the H.R. 8070 version of the National Defense […]
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International
U.S. and the Republic of Korea seek to improve nuclear deterrence
Leaders from the United States and the Republic of Korea convened in Seoul on Monday with aims to strengthen nuclear deterrence and relations between the two nations, according to a press release from the Department of Defense. The two nations met with intentions of information sharing, consulting, and joint planning and execution to extend deterrence […]
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Cleanup & Remediation
Boston Government founder steps down as CEO
Harry Boston, founder of Boston Government Services, is stepping down as CEO and being succeeded by chief operating officer Doug Freund, the Oak Ridge, Tenn.-based Department of Energy contractor said May 31. Boston, who started Boston Government Services (BGS) in 2007, sold his ownership stake to Louisiana-based Bernhard Capital Partners in 2022, according to the […]
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Advanced Nuclear & SMRs
DIU Seeks Info On Nuclear Microreactor Ideas To Provide Power At Army Bases By 2030
The Army has partnered with the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit on a new effort to assess industry’s nuclear microreactor solutions, with an aim to bolster energy resilience at installations. Under the new Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI) prototype program, the Army and Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) are seeking information on industry’s ability to provide […]
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Plutonium Pit Production
Los Alamos confirms DNFSB staff report on glove boxes not safety concern
A spokesperson from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico confirmed in an email Monday to the Exchange Monitor that an incident involving skin contamination due to a glovebox failure resulted in no significant health issues. During the week of May 10, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) wrote a staff report on […]
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Budget & Policy
Wrap up: House passes NDAA; House passes nuclear triad modernization in defense bill; Senate advances NDAA; More
The House Rules Committee passed its version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act 217-199 on Friday after a three-day debate among members on around 350 amendments. The bill includes provisions that restore the B-52 bomber’s nuclear capabilities, codifies the National Nuclear Security Administration as the lead in strategizing against smuggling nuclear materials, and requires […]