SANTA FE, New Mexico (AP) — Federal regulators say Los Alamos National Laboratory has not ensured sufficient nuclear safety in its operations as the New Mexico facility prepares to increase its work with plutonium.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Monday that the U.S. Department of Energy has released a list of problems regarding the laboratory's nuclear safety management.
The report released Monday says former private contractor Los Alamos National Security LLC, which managed the lab for about 12 years, allowed safety issues to fester with "significant weaknesses."
The report also says there have been deficiencies in the work of Triad National Security LLC, which took over the $2 billion-plus annual operating contract Nov. 1.
The assessment says the safety lapses are serious enough that they could lead to a shutdown of operations at the laboratory's plutonium facility.