Some of the nation’s key nuclear weapons facilities are at risk for terrorist attacks, claims a government watchdog organization.
According to a new report issued by the Project On Government Oversight, “serious security flaws” exist at nuclear weapons facilities nationwide.
“These flaws, which leave U.S. weapons-grade nuclear material vulnerable to sabotage and detonation by terrorists, put the entire country at risk,” said the 20-year-old government oversight group in a statement yesterday.
POGO analysts say the federal Department of Energy routinely conducts security exercises at nuclear weapons facilities, and – according to a recent study – are successful in penetrating those facilities “more than 50 percent of the time – although the exact figure is classified.”
“When our security efforts do not protect our weapons-grade nuclear materials against over half of the mock terrorist attacks, it is well past time for a reassessment of our security tactics,” said Danielle Brian, the group’s executive director.
In mock attacks on nuclear weapons complexes, “terrorists” have managed to successfully “steal” enough material to make multiple nuclear weapons, “kill” enough protective force members to throw the remaining force into disarray, and have had enough time to construct and “detonate” an Improvised Nuclear Device, Brian says.
“Furthermore, POGO has uncovered a disturbing trend of cheating and dumbed-down mock attacks favoring DOE’s protective force,” said the statement
POGO analysts say that on several occasions, protective force members have been “warned by DOE headquarters against the indiscriminate ‘killing’ of scientists, lab employees, and each other during mock attacks, in the hopes of hitting their targets as well. These instances are regularly counted as wins for the protective force.”
Energy’s “disregard for proven threats to nuclear security and its institutional bull-headedness have thwarted the efforts of reformers, time and time again,” POGO says.
Some lawmakers are apparently taking POGO’s report seriously. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., chairman of the House Government Reform Committee’s subcommittee on national security, veteran’s affairs and international relations has expressed interest in conducting hearings into POGO’s findings.
“In this critical environment, it is important for the Department of Energy to assure the integrity of basic security measures for the protection of nuclear weapon facilities and the nuclear materials they contain against both internal and external threats,” said a statement issued by Shays’ office.
“Our report shows a longstanding pattern of DOE’s indifference to and even contempt for security reforms,” said Brian. “Particularly in light of the recent terrorist attacks, we believe it is time for outside oversight to correct these problems.”
“We have been recommending to the National Security Counsel and other policymakers two near-term security measures,” she added. “Military units with SWAT capabilities should be brought in immediately to protect nuclear weapons and material at selected fixed sites. In addition, nuclear materials and weapons should not be transported on public highways until security is upgraded.”
Shays will be conducting hearings today on “Combating Terrorism: Knowing the Enemy,” in Washington. The hearings continue Friday, his office said, and “will identify states, terrorist groups and individuals who allegedly acquired or employed biological weapons, and determine the intent and capabilities of such actors.”
