Feb 12, 2008

Los Alamos Troubles Again

From the Washington Post's government contracting blog, Government Inc., we have this by Robert O'Harrow.

The GAO released a compendium of troubles involving Los Alamos National Laboratory and its contractors yesterday.

My reaction to a quick read: Holy smokes!

Here's how it begins:

"Subject: Los Alamos National Laboratory: Information on Security of Classified Data, Nuclear Material Controls, Nuclear and Worker Safety, and Project Management Weaknesses

"The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), which is operated by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), is responsible for, among other things, designing nuclear weapons. Over the past decade, we have documented numerous security, safety, and project management weaknesses at NNSA's nuclear weapons complex, including LANL. In particular, LANL has experienced a series of high-profile security incidents that have drawn attention to the laboratory's inability to account for and control classified information and maintain a safe work environment."

Government Inc. readers may recall a piece about earlier problems at the labs. The problems included allegations that thousands of classified documents were found in a trailer occupied by a former employee and allegations that a contractor operating the facility, KSL Services Joint Venture, systematically overcharged the government.

In the new 61-page report, GAO auditors document what appear to be systemic problems. From October 2002 to June 30, 2007, the laboratory had 57 reported security incidents that apparently involved "the compromise or potential compromise of classified information." There were nine other incidents that involved "the confirmed or suspected unauthorized disclosure of secret information, which posed a significant threat to U.S. national security interests."

At the same time, there were incidents in which nuclear safety standards were exceeded. Facilities were operated with proper safety documentations. "Twenty-three reported safety accidents serious enough to warrant investigation by DOE or the laboratory contractor," the report said.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Facilities were operated with proper safety documentations.
========

The quote above from the article is
enough to give anyone pause.

How could they do that????

Anonymous said...

Yes there were isolated incidents in which nuclear safety standards were exceeded and facilities were operated with proper safety documentations.

We've put that behind us now.

Anonymous said...

That's right Roark the mouth. Forget the past. Forget the victims. Forget the waste of taxpayer monies. That's all behind us now. We're new and improved. UC plus Bechtel = new and improved management. Geez, why keep dwelling on the past!

Why not just empty the prisons while we're at it? The crimes committed were done in the past as well, after all. Stupid analogy? Blame Roark. He has a way of bringing out the stupid in people.

Anonymous said...

But, but, but...what about the NNSA award we just got?--best in class recycler. What more can we do? It's never enough!

Anonymous said...

And why did they pick that period?
They knew what their sponsors wanted.

BTW, this is still accessible from lanl.gov domain.

Anonymous said...

But it can't be accessible from the lanl.gov domain! That would not fit the conspiracy theories!!! Nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

At least no LANL staff were recently caught selling secrets to the Chinese like the Boeing/DOD engineer who was just caught by the FBI. These things need to be put into perspective.

Anonymous said...

10:15 pm: "At least no LANL staff were recently caught selling secrets to the Chinese"

Not just not recently, NOT EVER. WHL probaly did, but wasn't caught. In any case, people need to calm down about LANL. If your aim is to close it, just say so. It won't ever happen, but just say so, for the sake of honesty (you do believe in honesty, don't you?).

Anonymous said...

Ya know,

This blog would be a lot better if it were limited to LANL employees instead of the stealth liars from the Santa Fe activist community.

The quality of the writing and the infantile use of bad language would certainly improve.

It would also give Chris Mechels one less venue to spew his meaningless trash.

Anonymous said...

This blog would be a lot better if it were limited to LANL employees instead of the stealth liars from the Santa Fe activist community.
=============

I'd let them post here - they are their
own worst enemies.

People, like myself who don't have a
dog in this fight; get to see what type
of petty, illogical morons they are.

In lack of cerebral capacity, the
Santa Fe activists are probably second
only to those in Berkeley; and the
Berkeley idiots are getting some bad
press of late in taking on the USMC.

Anonymous said...

"Twenty-three reported safety accidents serious enough to warrant investigation by DOE ...,"

Every single person who were involved in these accidents, or supervisors who caused them, and caused the Lab bad press, should be FIRED.

Anonymous said...

And the people who covered up accidents so they aren't among the 23 mentioned... should be promoted?

Anonymous said...

9:35 pm: "Every single person who were involved in these accidents, or supervisors who caused them, and caused the Lab bad press, should be FIRED."

You are an excellent example of 8:35 am's description of those with a "lack of cerebral capacity."

Do you have any clue what degree of seriousness of a "safety accident" "warrants investigation by DOE"??

If so, you are an incredible jerk. If not, you are an incredible jerk. Do your homework, jerk, before you start demanding people be fired. How would you like someone with no knowledge of your job or its parameters declaring that you should be fired??

Anonymous said...

Every single person who were involved in these accidents, or supervisors who caused them, and caused the Lab bad press, should be FIRED
============
9:35

I suppose each and every person who is
investigated by the police for a crime
should also be executed.

I agree with 11:26; that 9:35 is a
damnable MORON!!

What do you think the purpose of an
investigation is 9:35? It is to find
out IF there is culpability!!

Anonymous said...

"What do you think the purpose of an investigation is 9:35? It is to find out IF there is culpability!!"

I am not 9:35, but from my time observing investigations, I would say that the purpose of an NNSA or LANL investigation is to cover up problems.

Anonymous said...

Bingo, 10:23.