SEN. ALEXANDER OPTIMISTIC ON UPF ALTERNATIVE

Three key players in the future modernization of the Y-12 National Security Complex—Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason—gathered Friday at the University of Tennessee, where Moniz was delivering a lecture on energy and environment. But, in a press conference preceding the Moniz lecture, the three clearly held back on details of how the government plans to proceed with an alternative to the ultra-expensive Uranium Processing Facility.

“One of my major concerns as a United States senator has been the out-of-control costs of some of the big energy projects,” Alexander said before introducing Moniz. Asked if he thought Congress would approve and fund an alternative uranium project at Y-12 if the price tag does not exceed $6.5 billion, Alexander said, “I think so. This is an urgent national need. This handles all the uranium for our weapons systems. Moniz said he didn’t want to talk about details until the Red Team—headed by Mason—had briefed key officials on Monday, including retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, who was sworn in two weeks ago as the new head of the National Nuclear Security Administration.