Aerial photograph of the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge.A huge security shake-up is under way at the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant, underscored Friday evening with a statement from Energy Secretary Steven Chu regarding the “unacceptable and deeply troubling breach” that occurred last weekend when antiwar protesters infiltrated the Oak Ridge plant’s high-security core.
Chu said security guards involved in the incident have been suspended and three members of the leadership team at the government’s security contractor – WSI-Oak Ridge – have been removed from their positions, including General Manager Lee Brooks.
The statement provided to the News Sentinel also said a “relevant” federal official at the National Nuclear Security Administration’s oversight office at Y-12 had been temporarily reassigned, pending outcome of an investigation launched by the department’s health, safety and security chief Glenn Podonsky.