Investigation May Include UC-Run Labs
U.S. nuclear weapons facilities, which may include the Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos National Laboratories, are under congressional scrutiny amid allegations of security shortfalls that leave them open to terrorism.
The House Armed Services Committee was asked to look into the allegations in a June 2'7 letter from the intelligence Committee. The letter was based on. complaints from an anonymous "whistle-blower."
Officials did not elaborate on the details of the letter.
"We are looking into the information," said Ryan Vaart, Armed Services Committee spokesperson. "Obviously, the allegations are being taken seriously."
Department of Energy and nuclear weapons facility officials defended their security measures.
The National Nuclear Security Administration, which manages the U.S. nuclear weapon stockpile and announced the departure of its director in June, is not aware of any new security concerns, said agency spokesperson Anson Franklin.
"We have not received any new information or allegations," he said. Franklin said the agency goes to great lengths to ensure the facilities are protected from security threats. "We believe the NNSA sites and transport assets are secure," Franklin said. "We spend a lot of time and resources on security measures. We take seriously any allegations of security problems."
Labs Have History of Vulnerability
When problems are exposed, Franklin said, the agency "updates and reassesses security precautions." Livermore lab officials dismissed the allegations, saying that the lab, which is UC-run, has not been singled out in the investigation for security gaps.
"It's premature," said Livermore lab spokesperson Susan Houghton. "There is no reason to believe that this has to do with Lawrence Livermore lab."
Houghton lauded lab security and said they are constantly working to ensure that it is a "safe and secure place."
"We are very proud of our security record," Houghton said.
Los Alamos National Laboratory also has sufficient security, said John Gustafson, lab spokesperson.
Gustafson said he was not aware of the allegations of vulnerability in U.S. nuclear weapons facilities. Critics are quick to attack lab security measures. Marylia Kelley, executive director of Livermorebased TRI-Valley CARES, said the labs have a history of vulnerability.
"This is not a new problem," Kelley said. All across the Department of Energy nuclear weapons facilities, there have been security failures."
In the event of an attack on the Livermore lab, Alameda County Sheriff's Office deputies are ill-prepared to coordinate with lab security forces, Kelley said.
The lab cannot attain "ultimate security" until it is converted into a nuclear-free civilian research laboratory, Kelley said.
The Scandia National Laboratory also conducts nuclear weapons research, though it is not operated by UC.
Intelligence Committee officials were not available for comment.
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