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"Remember Your Humanity" blog
LASG Letters & Bulletins for more information on plutonium

PU modules artist's conception
LASG, artist's conception of proposed
underground plutonium modules


PU modules - earlier version
LASG, artist's conception of earlier version of proposed plutonium modules

CMRR project vicinity

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

  • • Plutonium Aging - documents
    • Materials related to the Reprogramming Request of Sept 13, 2012
    • LANS planning documents & briefings related to plutonium sustainment
    See also: Nuclear Weapons: Misc Technical Resources

    Gen. Hyten, STRATCOM, visits the plutonium lab at LANL on May 29, 2018. Click on photos for larger.
    Gen Hyten, STRATCOM

    Gen Hyten, LANL group

    Gen Hyten, LANL group

    Gen Hyten, LANL group

     

     

     

    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?

    GAO slide 14
    Better, faster, cheaper, & safer than a tunnel for moving plutonium samples within TA-55:
    garden cart
    LANL's TA-55
    LANL TA-55
    TA-55 aerial

    • LANL plutonium programs & CMRR, 2006-2014
    • Radiological Laboratory Utility Office Building
    PF-4 Seismic & Criticality Concerns
    • Resources on TA-55 Security System (Nuclear Materials Safeguards and Security Upgrades Project - NMSSUP)
    • NNSA's Uranium Processing Facility
    • NNSA Performance Evaluation Plans & Reports (PEPs & PERs)
    • NNSA Planning & Budgeting Documents
    • Plutonium Disposition
    Opposition from New Mexico Elected Officials, University of California, LANL, and NNSA to Expanded Plutonium Pit Production at LANL 1992 – 2006
    New Mexico Local Government Resolutions & Letters addressing nuclear weapons issues at LANL
    Georgia & South Carolina Government Resolutions in favor of plutonium pit production at Savannah River Site
    University of California Academic Senate and other resolutions & articles addressing nuclear weapons issues at LANL

    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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