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Missing Keys At U.S. Nuke Labs
The Energy Department is conducting a widespread review of security at Americaâs nuclear weapons laboratories after reports of hundreds of missing keys, some of which could allow access to sensitive areas. Sources tell CBS News that lock and key experts will begin visiting all U.S. nuclear labs next month to assess the problem of missing keys and apparent security lapses, reports CBS News Correspondent Sharyl Attkisson. The review follows reports last summer that Oak Ridge National Laboratory had reported "a number" of keys missing. In fact, 200 keys were missing. Oak Ridge, located in Tennessee, was part of the Manhattan Project where uranium was processed for the first atomic bomb. Also known by its World War II code name "Y-12", itâs considered the Fort Knox of highly enriched uranium â the kind terrorists could use for a devastating bomb. Some of the missing keys, according to one source, "provide possible access to sensitive areas" at Oak Ridge. How nice. At Sandia National Labs in New Mexico, a set of master keys went missing for more than a week, including keys that could get someone as far as the glass doors leading to the nuclear reactors. At the time, nobody bothered to change the locks or report the security breach as required. And why do they still have their jobs? Someone also lost track of master keys at Lawrence Livermore Lab. Thatâs where Michael Ray Stubbs worked. The Energy Departmentâs Inspector General investigated Livermore and recently determined the lab "did not immediately recognize the significant security implications ⊠did not report the security incidents within the required timeframes," and "did not immediately assess the potential security risks." During the Inspector Generalâs review, Livermore officials admitted five more master keys were missing, some for years. Since before 2000, perhaps? Bet someone in the HVAC shop would have access to one. The Inspector General says it will cost $1.7 million dollars to replace 100,000 locks at Livermore alone. The lab claims it wonât cost nearly that much. $1.7 million divided by 100K locks = $17.00 each. Thatâs cheap for high security locks, not even figuring in labor costs. In response to the reports, the Energy Department is launching a "lock and key inventory" to try to pinpoint the extent of the security breach. Sources say it will be a "top to bottom review" at all the nationâs nuclear weapons labs. Which will take years and in the end no one in charge will be fired. Fred, past me that razor blade when you finish slitting your wrists. Posted by: Steve 2004-01-02 |
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