LANL Names Acting Cleanup Lead After Management Shakeup

Los Alamos National Laboratory Deputy Associate Director Enrique Torres is serving as acting lead for LANL environmental programs after several Los Alamos cleanup managers were relieved of their duties last week in connection with the breached drum at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, LANL Director Charlie McMillan said Friday in a message to staff obtained by WC Monitor. Torres will serve as lead “while the Lab works with DOE to develop a path forward,” McMillan said. He hinted that more changes may be coming. "It is time for us to be introspective and self-critical to ensure we fully learn from this event. In the coming days and weeks, we will be taking additional actions to ensure we address the underlying causes and strengthen our processes to prevent future upsets or event,” McMillan said.

Last week McMillan relieved several cleanup managers of their duties, including Jeff Mousseau, associate director of environmental programs, Dan Cox, deputy associate director of environmental programs, Kathy Johns-Hughes, Director of the LANL TRU Program, and Tori George, program director for regulatory management. The changes come after a breached Los Alamos drum in the WIPP underground was linked to the radiological release at WIPP. The Department of Energy also announced Friday that the cleanup work at Los Alamos National Laboratory from the National Nuclear Security Administration to be managed by the Office of Environmental Management, though the exact transition plan is still being developed. McMillan said: “I will ensure that Los Alamos will do whatever is needed to ensure a smooth transition, and that includes maintaining safe and secure environmental program operations until the transition is complete. We are fully committed to working with the State of New Mexico and DOE throughout this process.”