U.S. Nuclear Weapons Complex: Y-12 and Oak Ridge National Laboratory at High Risk

Since POGO\u27s original report in 2001, U.S. Nuclear Weapons Complex: Security at Risk, the organization\u27s continuing investigations\u27 have documented how a variety of U.S. nuclear facilities have not implemented adequate protections against these threats, even when the facilities have large stashes of weapons-grade and weapons-quantity nuclear materials which particularly merit protection. This report more specifically documents the shortcomings of efforts to secure Y-12 and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). An initial examination of these sites was reported in POGO\u27s May 2005 study, U.S. Nuclear Weapons Complex: Homeland Security Opportunities . That report presented the findings of POGO\u27s investigation into security at facilities throughout the nuclear weapons complex, and concluded that consolidating weapons-grade nuclear materials from 13 sites to seven sites would dramatically increase security, as well as save the DOE an estimated $3 billion in security costs over three years. This research was completed money allocated during Round 6 of the Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund (MTA Fund). Clark University was named conservator of these works. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at [email protected]://commons.clarku.edu/pogo/1000/thumbnail.jp

Protecting Science at Federal Agencies: How Congress Can Help

Independent scientific analysis and advice are essential for effective policies that serve the public interest. This report describes new and ongoing threats to the communication of science and its use in public health and environmental decisions, and it recommends steps Congress can take in response.</div