| December 22, 2010 |  |
Defense Authorization Provision Increases Accountability for Nuclear Weapons Programs, Protects U.S. Taxpayers
WASHINGTON (December 22, 2010) – Congress passed legislation today that significantly increases transparency and accountability for nuclear weapons programs and requires new standards for nuclear weapons safety and security.
“The legislation passed today will help ensure that the Energy Department’s weapons labs spend taxpayer money wisely,” said Nickolas Roth, policy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). This is particularly important, he said, because the Obama administration has pledged to increase the Department of Energy’s (DOE) budget for nuclear weapons programs to $85 billion over the next 10 years.
One provision included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2011 requires the DOE to notify Congress about cost overruns and project delays for nuclear weapons-related programs and projects, and to take steps to address them.
If large-scale nuclear facilities construction, warhead maintenance programs, or nuclear weapons cleanup exceed 125 percent of their original cost estimate, DOE now must notify Congress whether the project will be terminated or continued. If the DOE continues the project, it must submit a revised cost and schedule estimate, certify that the project is necessary, and explain how it can manage the project’s cost and schedule.
A second provision requires the DOE and Department of Defense to submit a report to Congress by March that describes their criteria and methodology for setting standards for nuclear weapons safety and security.
“This second provision will ensure that the Energy Department makes sensible decisions about how to best protect its nuclear weapons,” said Roth. “Senator Ben Nelson and Representative Jim Langevin deserve praise for ensuring that this provision remained in the bill.”
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
