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United States: Energy Department Completes First Review of Pit Production Facility The U.S. Energy Department yesterday released a draft environmental impact statement for a full-scale plutonium “pit” production facility. The study examined alternatives for manufacturing up to 450 pits annually at one of five possible locations by 2020 (see GSN, Sept. 20, 2002). A plutonium pit is the first-stage of a thermonuclear weapon and is a hollow sphere about the size of a softball, according to the Associated Press. After a 14-year break in production, officials at the Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory this year manufactured a new pit that meets new production standards (see GSN, April 23). “This issue is an important one, since it deals directly with the national security of the U.S. and our ability to keep our nuclear stockpile safe, reliable and secure,” Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said. Last year, Energy announced plans for a facility to build plutonium triggers, and officials were to choose between locations in New Mexico, Nevada, Texas and South Carolina. The environmental review did not narrow that list, but it did provide details on the production plans, which could be in full swing by 2020. The plant, which officials hope will produce 125, 250 or 450 triggers each year, is projected to cost $2.2 to $4.4 billion and would operate for 50 years (Josef Hebert, Associated Press/Boston Globe, June 3).
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