LASG, artist's conception
of proposed
underground plutonium modules
LASG, artist's conception
of earlier version of proposed plutonium modules
Selected reference materials on plutonium sustainment
Plutonium Sustainment Reports
LANL-LLNL, Apr 2012
LANL-LLNL, Aug 2012
LANL-LLNL, Sep 2012
LANL-LLNL, Oct 2012
LA-UR-12-25400, Oct 9, 2012
LANL-KCP-LLNL, Nov 2012
LANL-KCP-LLNL, Dec 2012
LANL-KCP-LLNL, Jan 2013
Gen. Hyten, STRATCOM, visits the plutonium lab at LANL on May 29, 2018. Click on photos for larger.
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Plutonium pit production, LANL programs, safety concerns, & related capital projects
updated 08/23/18
Archive of LANL plutonium programs & CMRR, 2006-2014 here
Plutonium disposition, now intertwined with pit production
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, H. R. 5515 SEC. 3120. PLUTONIUM PIT PRODUCTION.
Plutonium Pit Production Analysis of Alternatives & related documents
– Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), Oct 2017, redacted
–
AoA Executive Summary, Oct 2017
–
AoA briefing slides, Nov 2017
– Engineering Assessment (EA), Rev 2, Apr 20, 2018, redacted
– EA results, briefing slides, May 14, 2018
– Workforce Analysis, Apr 2018, redacted
See also
–
Surplus Plutonium Disposition Dilute & Dispose Option, Independent Cost Estimate (ICE), Apr 2018 (obtained by the Union of Concerned Scientists)
Joint Statement from Ellen M. Lord and Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty on Recapitalization of Plutonium Pit Production, May 10, 2018
– Plutonium Pit Production Mission, fact sheet, May 10, 2018
Letter from DOE Secretary Rick Perry, re: Waiver to cease MOX construction & redirect funds for plutonium dilute & dispose program, May 10, 2018
Letter from NNSA Administrator Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty, re: NNSA's recommended alternative for plutonium pit production, May 10, 2018
Letter from Chair Nuclear Weapons Council Ellen M. Lord, re: recommended alternative for NNSA's plutonium capabilities, May 10, 2018
Greg Mello, Los Alamos Study Group, "Production Expectations vs. Site Realities and Worker Safety at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL): A Recipe for Regional Decline," presentation to the New Mexico Legislature's Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Committee (RHMC), Aug 15, 2018
– Summary
– Handouts
Bulletin 249: Worker safety; pit fever; “Beyond Hiroshima” Aug 6; lab power grab fail, Aug 3, 2018
"Beyond Hiroshima" discussion in Los Alamos 6 pm Monday August 6 with Godfrey Reggio, Gilbert Sanchez, Carol Miller, Greg Mello, others, press release, Aug 3, 2018
All-But-Final Defense Bill Increases Momentum for Larger Los Alamos Plutonium "Pit" Factory, press release, Jul 25, 2018
House Version of Defense Bill Would Advance Los Alamos Plutonium Bomb Factory, press release, Jul 23, 2018
Why, how many, when, how, where, with what risks?, Plutonium pit production workshop, Jul 12, 2018
Senators, why do you want a new pit factory?, Greg Mello, Albuquerque Journal, Jun 15, 2018
The administration’s pit production decision & its immediate aftermath, Forget the Rest blog, Greg Mello, Jun 2, 2018
U.S. plutonium pit production and disposition plans face congressional scrutiny, International Panel on Fissile Materials, Greg Mello, Jun 2, 2018
Udall, Heinrich, Luján, Lujan Grisham Statement On NNSA's Announcement On Pit Production, Sen. Udall's press release, May 10, 2018
Memo from LANL Director Terry C. Wallace, Jr. re: NNSA announces plans for future plutonium mission, May 10, 2018
NNSA, DoD, DOE recommend moving most plutonium warhead "pit" production to South Carolina by 2030, press release, May 10, 2018
NNSA, DoD, DOE poised to deliver decision to Congress on how and where to make plutonium warhead "pits", press release, May 9, 2018
South Carolina's Governor Henry McMaster's letter to DOE Secretary Rick Perry threatens legal action on MOX, May 2, 2018
Leaked Summary of Nuclear Warhead Plutonium "Pit" Production Analysis Identifies Serious Problems with Los Alamos Manufacturing Plan, press release, Apr 30, 2018
–
Plutonium Pit Production Analysis of Alternatives, Executive Summary, Oct 2017
LASG comments on the “Draft Environmental Assessment [EA] of Proposed Changes for Analytical Chemistry [AC] and Materials Characterization [MC] at the Radiological Laboratory/Utility/Office Building [RLUOB], Los Alamos National Laboratory [LANL], Los Alamos, New Mexico [NM],” Apr 25, 2018
Bulletin 247: Update on US nuclear weapons; pit memorandum to NNSA, Apr 16, 2018
Lawmakers, seek help for plutonium addiction, Greg Mello, Santa Fe New Mexican, Apr 8, 2018
Pit production recommendations & considerations, LASG memo to NNSA Administrator Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, Apr 6, 2018
Study Group files FOIA lawsuit to obtain plutonium warhead manufacturing study, press release, Mar 15, 2018
Bingaman, Domenici, Udall, Richardson, LANL, UC, and NNSA have all argued against Los Alamos becoming a larger, permanent plutonium "pit" production site, press note, Mar 8, 2018
Bulletin 245: Bingaman, Domenici, Udall, Richardson, LANL, UC, and NNSA have all argued against Los Alamos becoming a larger, permanent plutonium "pit" production site, Mar 8, 2018
Pit production: what precisely is NNSA poised to do where, and why?, LASG letter to Congressional Colleagues, Feb 27, 2018
Questions about projected U.S. plutonium pit production capability, International Panel on Fissile Materials, Greg Mello, Feb 22, 2018
Bulletin 243: NNSA Issues Draft Environmental Assessment for One Part of Its Proposed Plutonium Factory Complex at LANL, Feb 22, 2018
NNSA Issues Draft Environmental Assessment for One Part of Its Proposed Plutonium Factory Complex at LANL, press release, Feb 22, 2018
Letter from Senators Udall & Heinrich & Rep Lujan to DOE Sec Perry re: AoA for plutonium pit production, Dec 18, 2017
U.S. plutonium pit population estimates, Mello, slide 19, Mar 2, 2010
Bulletin 238: Normative plutonium policies as we see them – a quick sketch, Dec 5, 2017
–
NNSA pit production Analysis of Alternatives (7pg summary), presented to the DNFSB, Jan 2018
–
NNSA pit production Analysis of Alternatives (9pg summary), Nov 2017
–
NNSA pit production Analysis of Alternatives (Exec Summary), Oct 2017
Bulletin 237: NNSA doubts LANL pit production; Nobel peace prize get-togethers Sunday Dec. 10 (Santa Fe & Albuquerque), Dec 4, 2017
NNSA Needs to Determine Critical Skills and Competencies for Its Strategic Materials Programs, GAO, Nov 2017
Bulletin 235: Fall fundraising request; news and quick updates, Oct 1, 2017
Expansion of Los Alamos Plutonium Warhead “Pit” Factory Eyed, LASG Fact Sheet, updated Oct 2017
DNFSB board members Jesse Roberson & Daniel Santos memo stating objection to Memorandum of Agreement with DOE/NNSA, Aug 11, 2017
Sen Claire McCaskill letter to NNSA re: Safety Violations, Aug 3, 2017
House Armed Services Committee hearing, FY 2018 Priorities for Nuclear Forces, (clip of Congressman Garamendi Q&A), May 25, 2017
LANL Chemistry & Metallurgy Research Replacement Project (CMRR) and the CMR facility, DIR-16-161 from LANL to Sec of Energy Klotz, Dec 5, 2016
Today begins a time when significant reforms in nuclear policy can be made, LASG ltr to colleagues, Nov 8, 2016
Congressional auditors flay Los Alamos plutonium plans, LASG ltr to colleagues, Aug 12, 2016
Congressional auditors flay Los Alamos plutonium plans, press release, Aug 10, 2016
– NNSA Needs to Clarify Requirements for Its Plutonium Analysis Project at Los Alamos, GAO, Aug 2016
Expansion of Los Alamos Plutonium Warhead “Pit” Factory Eyed, LASG fact sheet, Jun 2016 (superseded by Oct 2017 fact sheet)
Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) offers amendment to cut funding for expansion of plutonium pit production at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), May 24, 2016
– role call vote
– amendment
– video
Bulletin #209: Help wanted; NNSA infrastructure plans presume a new Cold War, Oct 28, 2015
NNSA: Pit Sources for Life Extension Programs (LEPs) 2015
Opportunities for Risk Reduction at the Los Alamos National Laboratory Plutonium Facility through the Minimization of Material-At-Risk, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) Technical Report, Sep 21, 2015
Plutonium Pit Production options, compilation (by LASG) of reports by Jonathan E. Medalia, Congressional Research Service (CRS), Sep 2, 2015 [Note: We are very grateful to Jon for this outstanding body of work.]
In Brief: Options to Help Meet a Congressional Requirement for Nuclear Weapon “Pit” Production, Jonathan E. Medalia, CRS, May 22, 2015
Los Alamos-Supported Congressional Study Suggests Efficiency Improvements for Plutonium Warhead “Pit” Manufacturing, press release, May 18, 2015
— Nuclear Weapon “Pit” Production: Options to Help Meet a Congressional Requirement, CRS, May 15, 2015
Bulletin #205:
Congressional study shows multibillion-dollar underground factory “modules” for plutonium not needed at Los Alamos, May 18, 2015
Bulletin #204: Nuclear weapons modernization: assuring destruction forever, Apr 24, 2015
Kendall, Frank, et.al., testimony, Senate Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, hearing, Mar 4, 2015
SASC hearing to receive testimony on U.S. nuclear weapons policy, programs, and strategy for FY 2016, (transcript) Mar 4, 2015
Manufacturing Nuclear Weapon “Pits”:Paths toward 80 Pits Per Year, Jonathan E. Medalia, CRS, Feb 19, 2015 (slides)
Technical Considerations for the Evolving US Nuclear-Weapons Stockpile, JASON, Jan 2015
LASG comments to the Commission to Review the Effectiveness of the National Energy Laboratories (CRENEL), Sep 26, 2014
Bulletin #194: Plutonium is not your friend, Aug 31, 2014
$4.3 Billion in Additional Construction, Equipment Proposed for Los Alamos Plutonium Factory, press release, Aug 28, 2014
CMRR-NF Cancelled, Aug 21, 2014
Manufacturing Nuclear Weapon “Pits”: A Decisionmaking Approach for Congress, Jonathan E. Medalia, Congressional Research Service, (CRS), Aug 15, 2014
Letter from Nuclear Weapons Council (NWC) to Senate Appropriators, Jul 25, 2014
"New Mexico TRU," Study Group Calls for Pause in New Plutonium Waste at Los Alamo, press release, Jun 2, 2014
Federal Safety Board Cautions DOE on LANL Plutonium Facility, press release, May 20, 2014
Criticality safety at LANL's plutonium facility, DNFSB letter to NNSA administrator Frank Klotz , May 16, 2014
— DNFSB annual report (see page 5), Mar 2014
Transparency in the U.S. Nuclear Weapons Stockpile, U.S. State Department, fact sheet, Apr 29, 2014
McMillan's remarks need clarification, Los Alamos Monitor, Mello, Apr 22, 2014
History of Statements on Pit Production Capacity, Jonathan E. Medalia, CRS, Apr 3, 2014
NNSA Criticality Safety Program Weaknesses Resulting in an Operational Pause at the Plutonium Facility (PF-4), Apr 2014
Report of the Plutonium Disposition Working Group: Analysis of Surplus Weapon‐Grade Plutonium Disposition Options, DOE, Apr 2014
In Brief: U.S. Nuclear Weapon “Pit” Production: Background and Options, Jonathan E. Medalia, CRS, Mar 20, 2014
Congressional Study Shows Administration’s Proposed New Plutonium Warhead Factory at Los Alamos Is Unnecessary, Unadvised, press release, Feb 27, 2014
U.S. Nuclear Weapon “Pit” Production Options for Congress, Jonathan E. Medalia, CRS, Feb 21, 2014
Thinking Inside the Boxes: Can Existing Buildings Meet DoD’s Pit Needs?, Jonathan E. Medalia, CRS, Feb 12, 2014 —
slides
—
(earlier report) Pit Production Options, Jonathan E. Medalia, CRS, Nov 20, 2013
Plutonium Disposition Program - DOE needs to analyze the root causes of Cost Increases and Develop Better Cost Estimates, GAO, Feb 2014
Assessment of Nuclear Weapon Pit Production Requirements, report from Sec. of Defense Chuck Hagel to HASC, Jan 16, 2014
NNSA’s Management of the $245 million Nuclear Materials Safeguards and Security Upgrades Project (NMSSUP) Phase II at Los Alamos National Laboratory, DOE-IG report, Jan 2, 2014
— More information on the NMSSUP
LASG New Year's Eve note to selected government staff, Dec 31, 2013
Defense bill passes Congress, mandates new underground plutonium factory “modules” in Los Alamos, LASG press release, Dec 20, 2013
National Defense Authorization Act FY 2014, H.R. 3304, Sec. 3117 & 3123 (passed House, to be considered by Senate Dec 18)
Pit Production Options, Jonathan E. Medalia, CRS, Nov 20, 2013
Modernizing the Nuclear Security Enterprise, Observations on NNSA’s Options for Meeting Its Plutonium Research Needs, GAO, Sep 2013
LASG letter to DNFSB re: LANL's TA-55 & proposed plutonium plans, Aug 23, 2013
John R. Harvey, DoD, "On the Path to a '3+2 Vision' for U.S. Nuclear Forces," Jun 13, 2013
Bulletin #170: REMINDER: Quash the "Obama nuclear surge": campaign roll-out in NM THIS WEEK, May 7, 2013
Bulletin #169: Quash the Obama nuclear surge: campaign roll-out in NM next week, May 3, 2013
Study Group letter to federal parties re: resumption of NNSA budget and program hearings, Apr 17, 2013
"Assessing Approaches to Weapon Life Extension Programs (LEPs)," Donald Cook, NNSA, Feb 20, 2013
Study Group letter to Congress re: plutonium sustainment, Dec 12, 2012
Plutonium in Warhead Cores (“Pits”) Stable to 150 Years, press release, Dec 6, 2012
Study Group comments on the “60-Day Study” from LANS, on warhead plutonium sustainment, Aug 8, 2012
Los Alamos National Laboratory Update for Regional Community Leaders' Breakfast, Terry C. Wallace, Jr., Jul 24, 2012
"The United States Plutonium Balance, 1944-2009," Jun 26, 2012, update of "Plutonium: The First 50 Years," Feb 1996
CMRR Background Briefing to Senate Foreign Relations Staff, Craig Leasure, Jun 19, 2012
Los Alamos National Laboratory Weapons Program, Laboratory Director Update, LANS/LLNS Mission Committee, Jonathan S. Ventura, Jun 2012
"The Proposed Chemistry and Metallurgy Research Replacement Nuclear Facility (CMRR-NF): New Realities Call for New Thinking," Dec 10, 2010
"U.S. Plutonium 'Pit' Production: Additional Facilities, Production Restart are Unnecessary, Costly and Provocative," Mar 2, 2010
–
U.S. plutonium pit population estimates, Mello, slide 19, Mar 2, 2010
"Lifetime Extension Program," JASON Executive Summary, Sep 9, 2009
Nuclear Matters Handbook 2016, Office of the Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters
Nuclear Matters: A Practical Guide, 2008 edition, Office of the Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters. (In-depth discussion of nuclear weapons written for the military. Good overview of the nuclear weapons enterprise and its terminology from the military perspective.)
LASG Brief Comments on the “Report on the Feasibility of Using Existing Pits for the Reliable Replacement Warhead [RRW] Program,” National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), circa August 2008, Sep 5, 2008
– Report on the Feasibility of Using Existing Pits for the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) Program, Aug 2008
– Innovative Warhead Design "Pit Reuse," James V. Tyler
"Pit Lifetime," JASON's review on plutonium aging, JSR-06-335, The Mitre Corporation, Nov 20, 2006
"A Little Primer on Plutonium and Poverty in New Mexico," (pdf file of brochure)
The WMD Way of Life: Pit production equipment in Los Alamos parking lot, (photo) Jan 2006
Plutonium Pit Production in the 21st Century, Salient features of DPAG study, Linda Brastetter, Mar 21, 2000
"Subcritical" Nuclear Tests Have Apparently Begun at Los Alamos, press release, Jan 13, 1999
LANL Plan to Detonate Plutonium Poses Risks to Region, press release, May 14, 1997
Los Alamos Study Group letter to Secretary of Energy Hazel O'Leary, Oct 22, 1996
Plutonium Explosions:
Subcritical Testing
Since the United States' last full nuclear weapons test at the Nevada
Test Site in September of 1992 all subsequent nuclear weapons explosives tests have been subcritical. A subcritical test is similar to a full scale nuclear detonation in that a plutonium core and other weapons grade elements are subjected to compression under a high explosives blast, but the implosion is not sufficient to sustain the criticality necessary for the process of nuclear fission.
Note: The tunnel originally proposed in the 2004 UPF design has been dropped in the 2010 UPF design. Why not at LANL also?
Better, faster, cheaper, & safer than a tunnel for moving plutonium samples within TA-55:
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LANL TA-55
Related news media
U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson: 2019 defense bill a good thing for SRS, Aiken Standard, Aug 24, 2019
S.C. legal team blasts DOE in latest MOX filing, Aiken Standard, Aug 23, 2018
More plutonium approved for lab facility, Albuquerque Journal, Aug 17, 2018
NNSA chief of staff, other government officials tour SRS, Aiken Standard, Aug 17, 2018
Peace activists descend on Los Alamos, Los Alamos Monitor, Aug 8, 2018
Pit Production at LANL? A Delusion or Doomsday, La Jicarita, Aug 4, 2018
Budget bill gives LANL pit-making a boost, now goes to president, Albuquerque Journal, Aug 3, 2018
Betrayal & plans from our elected officials for LANL to be a major plutonium pit production factory, Mello, Cultural Energy, Jul 30, 2018
Federal defense bill includes study of options for LANL plutonium pits, Los Alamos Monitor, Jul 30, 2018
House-passed bill would boost LANL ‘pit’ role, Albuquerque Journal, Jul 27, 2018
Energy Department to maintain nuclear oversight, Associated Press, Jul 24, 2018
Defense bill would curb Cabinet control of nuclear agency, Associated Press, Jul 22, 2018
An antidote to nuclear nostalgia: "The Work of Tony Price", Santa Fe New Mexican - Pasatiempo, Jul 13, 2018
Demonstrators take issue with museum’s focus on N.M.’s atomic history, Santa Fe New Mexican, Jul 13, 2018
DOE memo: MOX support could jeopardize other Savannah River Site missions, Augusta Chronicle, Jul 12, 2018
A&M System’s charge at Los Alamos includes improving safety culture, Austin American-Statesman, Jun 15, 2018
N.M.’s delegation fights to keep LANL’s plutonium pit plan on track, Los Alamos Monitor, Jun 13, 2018
Judge blocks plan to split plutonium ‘pit’ production, Albuquerque Journal, Jun 12, 2018
FY19 Appropriations Bills: National Nuclear Security Administration, Jun 7, 2018
Editorial: Wasting billions in federal tax dollars just the pits, Albuquerque Journal, Jun 5, 2018
NM senator, reps fight back on ‘pits’ plan, Albuquerque Journal, May 26, 2018
–
Greg Mello comment
Udall pushes to keep nuclear pit production in New Mexico, Santa Fe New Mexican, May 26, 2018
–
Greg Mello comment
Los Alamos thankful for its ability to serve, Terry Wallace, Albuquerque Journal, May 25, 2018
As U.S. Demands Nuclear Disarmament, It Moves to Expand Its Own Arsenal, New York Times, May 14, 2018
DOE recommends pit production at SRS and Los Alamos; plan kills, repurposes MOX facility, Aiken Standard, May 11, 2018
Pit mission could bring as many jobs as MOX, Augusta Chronicle, May 11, 2018
US to decide best site option for nuclear weapons production, Associated Press, Washington Post, May 9, 2018
Best site option for nuclear weapons production between Savannah River Site, Los Alamos, Augusta Chronicle, Associated Press, May 9, 2018
Key sites proposed for nuclear bomb production are plagued by safety problems, Center for Public Integrity, May 1, 2018
Pit production expansion susceptible to schedule risks, DOE report says, Aiken Standard, May 1, 2018
Plutonium pit production update,Cultural Energy, Apr 26, 2018 (audio here)
America's nuclear headache: old plutonium with nowhere to go, Reuters, Apr 20, 2018
Bathroom sink overflow raises safety issue at LANL, Albuquerque Journal, Apr 6, 2018
Los Alamos Study Group files FOIA suit for pit study, Albuquerque Journal, Mar 16, 2018
Lawsuit seeks LANL study detailing costs, risks of plutonium work, Santa Fe New Mexican, Mar 15, 2018
The University of Nuclear Bombs, East Bay Express, Will Parrish, Feb 28, 2018
–
also: Counterpunch, Mar 8, 2018
US takes steps to resume plutonium pit production for nukes, AlJazeera News, Feb 23, 2018
NNSA releases draft assessment of LANL plutonium factory complex, Los Alamos Monitor, Feb 23, 2018
Playing for pits, Albuquerque Journal, Jan 26, 2018
–
Greg Mello comment
LANS docked $3.1M for plutonium shipment blunder, Los Alamos Monitor, Jan 20, 2018
NM senators, rep push back at LANL skeptics, Albuquerque Journal, Dec 26, 2017
–
Greg Mello comment
Heinrich, Udall, Luján: Plutonium pits report ‘inherently flawed’, Santa Fe New Mexican, Dec 20, 2017
Report shows LANL competing with South Carolina site for pit production beyond 2026, Santa Fe New Mexican, Dec 5, 2017
Questions Swirl About Plutonium Pit Production at US Lab, US News & World Report, Dec 4, 2017
Senators: Keep ‘pit’ making at Los Alamos, Albuquerque Journal, Dec 4, 2017
–
Letter from Senators Jack Reed & John McCain to Sec Def Mattis & DOE Sec Perry, Sep 20, 2017
LANL is the most expensive location for nuclear bomb pit production, Cultural Energy, interview, Dec 3, 2017
Study: LANL may not be best for pit-making, Albuquerque Journal, Dec 2, 2017
Leaked report casts doubt on LANL pit production, Santa Fe New Mexican, Dec 1, 2017
– Summary, NNSA pit production Analysis of Alternatives (9pg)
NM senators make it harder to move ‘pits’ from Los Alamos, Albuquerque Journal, Nov 17, 2017
Moving Pit Production From New Mexico Would be Harder Under NDAA, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Nov 17, 2017
Senate OKs defense bill, which presses for decision on pit work, Santa Fe New Mexican, Nov 16, 2017
LANL temporarily suspends workers who violated nuclear protocols, Santa Fe New Mexican, Sep 27, 2017
NNSA says LANL workers faced no danger in latest incident, Los Alamos Monitor, Sep 27, 2017
Plutonium pits at Los Alamos, Cultural Energy, KCEI 90.1 FM Taos, radio interview, Greg Mello, Sep 25, 2017
LANL: No risk of radioactive ‘criticality’ accident in recent incident, Albuquerque Journal, Sep 25, 2017
‘Criticality safety event’ occurred at LANL’s plutonium facility, Albuquerque Journal North, Sep 22, 2017
Report: LANL twice violated nuclear safety standards in Aug, Santa Fe New Mexican, Sep 22, 2017
Pantex near Amarillo among potential sites for plutonium pit production, Amarillo Globe-News, Jul 1, 2017
Scrutiny Intensifies Over Safety at US Nuclear Weapons Lab, US News & World Report, Jun 21, 2017
Nuclear Negligence, six-part series, The Center for Public Integrity, Jun 18, 2017
Los Alamos safety concerns impact U.S. nuclear weapons program, El Paso Times, Jun 17, 2017
Will production of nuclear ‘pits’ leave LANL?, Albuquerque Journal, Jun 12, 2017
Board addresses saftey concerns at LANL, Los Alamos Monitor, Jun 9, 2017
Hearing looms for troubled plutonium facility, Los Alamos Monitor, May 24, 2017
LANL safety program receives failing grade, Santa Fe New Mexican, Feb 10, 2017
–
NNSA's Nuclear Criticality Safety Report to the DNFSB, Feb 1, 2017
LANL’s Nuclear Criticality Safety Program Falls Short of DOE Expectations, Weapons Complex Monitor, Feb 10, 2017
LANL’s aging plutonium, uranium research building may stay open, Los Alamos Monitor, Jan 25, 2017
Roger This: Here We Go Again With The Bomb Factory, Los Alamos Daily Post, Aug 19, 2016
Audit blasts safety tracking at Sandia Labs, Santa Fe New Mexican, Aug 22, 2016
Pantex Plant to store more nuclear materials produced at Los Alamos lab, Amarillo Globe-News, Aug 16, 2016
GAO Challenges NNSA’s Plutonium Pit Production Plans, Exchange Monitor Morning Briefing, Aug 11, 2016
LANL plutonium project called ‘a house of cards’, Albuquerque Journal North, Aug 12, 2016
LANL’s nuclear bomb trigger production questioned, Santa Fe New Mexican, Aug 9, 2016
–GAO "NNSA Needs to Clarify Requirements for Its Plutonium Analysis Project at Los Alamos," Aug 2016
LANL in Final Stages of PF-4 Restart Project , Nuclear Security Deterrence Monitor, Jun 24, 2016
Report finds fire-safety deficiencies at LANL, Santa Fe New Mexican, May 20, 2016
– Seismic Qualification of Fire Suppression System at LANL, DNFSB report, May 12, 2016
– Allowable material at risk (MAR) in PF-4 has been lowered, DNFSB, Apr 22, 2016
– Opportunities for Risk Reduction at LANL's PF-4 through the Minimization of Material-at-Risk (MAR), DNFSB, Sep 2015
Half-Built Nuclear Fuel Plant in South Carolina Faces Test on Its Future, New York Times, Feb 8, 2016
LANL poised to ramp up plutonium pit production, report says, Santa Fe New Mexican, Jan 15, 2016
LANL Plutonium Modular Approach CD-0 Approved, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Dec 4, 2015
Russian Official: Gov’t Open to Alternative U.S. Plutonium Disposition Methods, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Oct 16, 2015
LANL Plutonium Modular Approach to Reach CD-0 Soon, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Oct 16, 2015
WIPP closure has Los Alamos nearing limit on transuranic waste storage, IHS Energy Daily, Sep 25, 2015
DNFSB Identifies Alternative Storage Options for MAR at PF-4, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Sep 25, 2015
Amid safety concerns at LANL, Udall weighs in on lab’s next mission: Pit production, Santa Fe New Mexican, Feb 21, 2015
NNSA Moving Forward With Pu Capabilities Project at LANL, Requests $155.6 Million in FY 2016, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Feb 6, 2015
NNSA Directs Los Alamos to Begin ‘Mission Need’ Development for Modular Pu Strategy, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Sep 26, 2014
No Timeline Yet for Restart of Operations at LANL Plutonium Facility, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Sep 12, 2014
Estimate for First Phase of New LANL Pu Strategy Set at $2 Billion, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Aug 29, 2014
Estimate for First Phase of New LANL Pu Strategy Set at $2 Billion, Weapons Complex Monitor Morning Briefing, Aug 28, 2014
Feds’ plan to make more nuke triggers at LANL raises questions, Santa Fe New Mexican, Aug 23, 2014
New nuke pit report released, Los Alamos Monitor, Aug 23, 2014
CRS Report Raises Questions About LANL Plutonium Strategy, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Aug 22, 2014
Nuclear Weapons Council (NWC) Formally Commits to LANL Modular Pu Strategy, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Aug 1, 2014
— Letter from NWC to Senate Appropriators, Jul 25, 2014
A Year After Pausing Plutonium Operations, Two-Thirds of Los Alamos PF-4 Work Back Up, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Jul 3, 2014
McMillan lays out need for PU strategy, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Apr 11, 2014
Study Group formally drops CMRR-NF lawsuit, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Mar 28, 2014
US has Pu options short of new facility build, CRS report says, Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor, Mar 7, 2014
New budget for LANL does not include money for plutonium facility, Santa Fe New Mexican, Mar 4, 2014
A fresh approach to Los Alamos’ plutonium problem, Albuquerque Journal, Mar 4, 2014
Administration plutonium strategy: no new construction at Los Alamos for now, Albuquerque Journal, Mar 4, 2014
Analysis offers options for plutonium pit production, Santa Fe New Mexican, Mar 3, 2014
Report details pit options, Los Alamos Monitor, Mar 1, 2014
Existing facilities could be option for further plutonium work, Los Alamos Monitor, Feb 25, 2014
Washington expert thinks outside the box, Los Alamos Monitor, Feb 22, 2014
DNFSB raises questions about exit strategy for CMR facility, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Jan 24, 2014
Bill authorizes planned funding for NM labs, Albuquerque Journal, Dec 22, 2013
Lab creeping toward criticality restart, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Dec 20, 2013
W78/88 Life Extension could be deferred in FY2015 budget, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Dec 20, 2013
Lawmakers reach compromise on FY 2014 NDAA, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Dec 13, 2013
New Pu strategy endorsed by DoD CAPE, but UPF cost questions raised, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Dec 6, 2013
Los Alamos lab waste plant over budget, behind schedule, Albuquerque Journal, Oct 3, 2013
Los Alamos Management of Waste Facility Faulted, Associated Press, Oct 2, 2013
Committee OKs $43M for NNSA request, Los Alamos Monitor, Sep 28, 2013
House appropriators ok $43.3M of $120M NNSA CMRR-NF reprogramming, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Sep 27, 2013
Editorial: Time past for coddling bloated nuclear agency, Albuquerque Journal, Sep 17, 2013
GAO presses NNSA to think long-term on plutonium mission at Los Alamos, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Sep 13, 2013
(see the GAO report here)
Director challenges cuts, McMillan sends letter to Moniz, Los Alamos Monitor, Aug 24, 2013
Los Alamos Director warns about inaction on PU reprogramming, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Aug 23, 2013
Defense programs chief outlines challenges facing Los Alamos, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Jul 26, 2013
House, Senate authorizers partially sign off on new plutonium strategy, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Jul 26, 2013
Spirit of Boondoggle Departs Quashed Los Alamos Project, Finds New One to Possess, Foreign Policy in Focus, May 13, 2013
New LANL plans call for lower-cost approach to nuke facility, Santa Fe New Mexican, May 8, 2013
After CMRR-NF delay, LANL proposes going small to meet Pu needs, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Feb 22, 2013
U.S. Nuclear Lab Ready to Shelve Costly Facility Plan, Global Security Newswire, Feb 22, 2013
Los Alamos says plutonium study doesn't negate need for pit manufacturing, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Dec 14, 2012
Research shows nuke weapon pits age gracefully, Los Alamos Monitor, Dec 8, 2012
Lawrence Livermore analysis suggests 150-year plutonium life, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Dec 7, 2012
HASC wants CMRR decision reassessed: Lab Project has been deferred by NNSA and administration, Los Alamos Monitor, Oct 20, 2012
Costly LANL project falling farther from realization, Santa Fe New Mexican, Sep 30, 2012
As LANL closes out CMRR-NF, some in Congress look to keep project alive, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, Sep 28, 2012
LANL Plan B [said to] Cost $800M, Albuquerque Journal North, Aug 8, 2012
Pantex may hit storage limit in 2014, Amarillo Globe-News, Jan 29, 2009
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