NNSA to streamline U.S. nuclear complex

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration plans to streamline the U.S. nuclear complex.

The new plan would "create a nuclear weapons infrastructure that is smaller, safer, more secure and more cost effective," said the NNSA, which is an agency of the Department of Energy.

"As the numbers of U.S. nuclear weapons continue to decline consistent with the nation's evolving nuclear deterrence strategy, and with flat or declining budgets in store for the maintenance and upkeep of the remaining warheads, the infrastructure to support this mission must be consolidated, made more efficient, and updated in a few key areas in order to meet the needs of the future," the NNSA said in a statement Dec. 18.

"Over the next decade, the proposed transformation would likely result in a 30 percent reduction in the square footage of the nuclear weapons infrastructure. In general, an overall reduction in the workforce directly supporting the weapons program of 20-30 percent may also take place over a decade, mostly through retirements, with many others moving into growing and critical national security programs such as nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear incident response and forensics, and intelligence analysis," the agency said.

"Today's nuclear weapons complex needs to move from the outdated, Cold War complex into one that is smaller, safer, more secure, and less expensive. It needs to transform into a 21st century enterprise that leverages the scientific and technical capabilities of our workforce, is safer for our work force, and meets evolving national security requirements for the future," NNSA Administrator Thomas P. D'Agostino said. "I believe this can be done within our existing budget."

NNSA officials said that transformation was "needed to prevent an escalation in costs for both securing and maintaining the complex. Nuclear materials are stored at too many sites, making security costs extremely high."

"The current complex also relies on hazardous, toxic and exotic materials that are causing increasing concerns for NNSA's workers and the environment. Finally, there are many redundancies in missions, capabilities and facilities that are no longer necessary or affordable," the agency said.