LANL DIRECTOR UNVEILS SHUTDOWN PLAN FOR LABORATORY

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.”