March 17, 2014

LANL DIRECTOR UNVEILS SHUTDOWN PLAN FOR LABORATORY

By ExchangeMonitor

Los Alamos National Laboratory will begin putting its facilities and equipment into a “safe and secure status” Oct. 15 and plans to complete shutdown activities by Oct. 17, lab Director Charlie McMillan said in a message to lab employees yesterday. McMillan confirmed in his message that the last day for non-essential lab employees would be Oct. 18, as previously reported by Weapons Complex Morning Briefing, with the lab shutdown beginning Oct. 21 if lawmakers are unable to reach an agreement to fund the government. Like other National Nuclear Security Administration sites, the lab has been operating since Oct. 1 using carryover balances from Fiscal Year 2013. Approximately 600 employees are expected to remain on the job to keep the lab running, providing security, maintaining computer systems and monitoring special nuclear materials. “Let me assure you that this Laboratory will continue to protect Special Nuclear Material, national security information, workers, the public, and the environment. We will maintain the ability to respond to national security emergencies,” McMillan said. “It is my sincere hope that this situation is resolved prior to October 18. However, because of the size and complexity of our operations, we must begin the actions necessary for closure now.”

McMillan said employees would be able to use vacation days to get paid during the first two weeks of the shutdown, and he said health care and other benefits will continue, with the premiums due once the furloughs end. “I understand the turmoil this creates for you, your families, and the region. I urge you make plans with a possible furlough in mind,” he said, adding: “Remain vigilant. Please take extra time for safety and security, especially during these uncertain times.”

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NEW: Via public records request, I’ve been able to confirm reporting today that a warrant has been issued for DOE deputy asst. secretary of spent fuel and waste disposition Sam Brinton for another luggage theft, this time at Las Vegas’s Harry Reid airport. (cc: @EMPublications)

DOE spent fuel lead Brinton accused of second luggage theft.



by @BenjaminSWeiss, confirming today's reports with warrant from Las Vegas Metro PD.

Waste has been Emplaced! 🚮

We have finally begun emplacing defense-related transuranic (TRU) waste in Panel 8 of #WIPP.

Read more about the waste emplacement here: https://wipp.energy.gov/wipp_news_20221123-2.asp

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