NS&D Monitor
6/27/2014
In Congress
Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), the former chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee and an advocate of National Nuclear Security Administration reform efforts, announced late last week that he will seek to become chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The current chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), has reached his six-year limit for serving on the committee, as outlined by Republican operations. Turner currently chairs the House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee. “This is a critical time for our country,” Turner said in a statement. “Government must be held accountable to the people it serves. As a senior member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I know that there is a tremendous opportunity for innovation and for the development of a more efficient, effective, and transparent government. We must conduct responsible oversight and adopt meaningful reform to eliminate and prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement.” Reps. John Mica (R-Fla.) and Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) are also believed to be in the running, according to a report from The Hill.
The Senate Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee held a closed briefing on U.S. nuclear deterrence policy June 25 in the Capitol Visitor Center. Former Obama Administration White House Coordinator for Arms Control and Weapons of Mass Destruction Gary Samore, the Executive Director for Research at Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, briefed the subcommittee along with National Institute for Public Policy President Keith Payne and Yale Management and Political Science Professor Paul Bracken. A spokesperson for the committee did not respond to a request explaining why the briefing was closed, but it is believed to have dealt with the nuclear force structure of other countries and the impact on the U.S. nuclear force structure.
In the Industry
Los Alamos National Security has awarded $400,000 to 10 Northern New Mexico businesses to accelerate their growth. The recipients of the grants include five companies from Santa Fe (Flow Science, Heavy Oil Solutions, Keystone Restoration Ecology, Milk+Honey, and Xpress) as well as two companies each from Rio Arriba County (FLUTe and Purple Adobe Lavender Farm) and Taos County (Private Label Select and Taos Mountain Energy Bars). Seed Worthy, an Albuquerque –based startup, also received a grant. Since 2006, the lab has provided 49 New Mexico businesses with approximately $3 million. “This year brought in more qualified applicants than ever before, and I am excited to see the improvements in the economic climate the winners will help create here in Northern New Mexico,” Los Alamos Community Programs Office Director Kurt Steinhaus said in a statement.
In the NNSA
NNSA Production Office Acting Deputy Manager Karl Waltzer was awarded the NNSA Gold Medal Award this week “in recognition of his distinguished achievements in support of national security programs,” the agency said. Waltzer, who is retiring after 35 years in the government, has served as the acting No. 2 at the NNSA Production Office since 2013. Previously, he served as the NPO and Pantex Site Office Senior Scientific and Technical Advisor. “Karl has been instrumental in assuring the safe, secure and successful execution of many notable programs associated with the U.S. nuclear deterrent, including stockpile life extension and dismantlement programs,” NNSA Administrator Frank Klotz said in a statement.
