Furloughs start at nuclear security agency amid government shutdown
Energy Secretary Chris Wright says the U.S. nuclear stockpile will be secure, but experts say there are national security implications.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright says the U.S. nuclear stockpile will be secure, but experts say there are national security implications.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright says the U.S. nuclear stockpile will be secure, but experts say there are national security implications.
Widespread furloughs are underway at the federal agency charged with overseeing the U.S. nuclear stockpile. It's the latest fallout from the government shutdown, now in its 20th day with no end in sight.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the National Nuclear Security Administration has never had to furlough workers before, but some were told to stay home starting on Monday.
"This work is critical. The humans working on it are critical. We need to open the federal government as quickly as we can," Wright said during a visit to Nevada National Security Site, where dozens of workers have been furloughed.
"This should not happen, but this was as long as we could stretch the funding for the federal workers. We were able to do some gymnastics and stretch it further for the contractors," Wright added.
In a statement, an Energy Department spokesperson said approximately 1,400 NNSA federal employees would be furloughed starting on Oct. 20, while nearly 400 "will continue to work to support the protection of property and the safety of human life."
A spokesperson confirmed that thousands of contractors at NNSA facilities have not been furloughed "due to funds that were recently authorized." The agency didn't immediately respond to emailed questions about when that funding is expected to run out.
With few details publicly available, some are concerned that the furloughs could weaken safeguards around nuclear waste, potentially posing public safety risks.
"All of these things need constant monitoring and safe handling. Releases of any radioactive materials could be very dangerous. So that is the reason why we need qualified, experienced workers at the sites to prevent any kind of serious accidents," said Don Hancock, the director of the nuclear waste safety program at the Southwest Research and Information Center.
In a recent Wright said some employees will be kept on the job for emergency services. He said the existing nuclear stockpile "will be secure and will be ready."
John Erath, senior policy director for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, said there could be national security implications.
"In the short term, it's probably not a huge deal. There will be basic security and safety measures that will remain in place," Erath said. "Where it could become a concern is if it lasts longer and longer, or if there is a crisis and the president were to be considering using nuclear weapons."
The Energy Department said NNSA’s Office of Secure Transportation will remain funded through Oct. 27. The agency didn't respond to emailed questions on what could happen if funding for the office runs out.
Erath said the schedule for moving nuclear weapons is classified, but disruptions at the office could potentially impact military readiness.
"It could certainly create a backlog when it comes to routine care and maintenance," Erath said.
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