Above-Ground Uranium Storage Planned in Tennessee, Despite Concerns

[CShine]

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (AP) - Construction of an above-ground storage complex for bomb-grade uranium will begin in August despite auditors' concerns about the design, federal officials said. An earlier proposal had called for partially burying the Y-12 National Security Complex, but U.S. Department of Energy spokesman Steven Wyatt said building the $250 million facility above ground will be "more flexible and cost-effective."

That decision comes despite a March DOE inspector general's report that questioned whether such a design would provide enhanced security. It also said the structure, which is expected to be completed in 2007, would cost more than a below-ground facility to build and operate.

Uranium stocks from around the Y-12 plant are to be consolidated in the new facility under heightened security, The approved design was recommended by BWXT, which replaced Lockheed Martin as Y-12's contractor in late 2000. Lockheed Martin had proposed partially burying the uranium vaults at the weapons plant. Critics say an above-ground facility could harm security efforts.

"Instead of guarding one side of the building, you have to guard five," Peter Stockton, a security analyst with the nonprofit watchdog group Project On Government Oversight, said of the design earlier this year.


http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBWFO8YZVD.html

[mom cat]

1. Just shows how much the Repukes care about homeland security

[struggle4progress]

2. POGO is right! eom