Federal Officials Consider Turning Over Y-12 Security to Plant’s Operating Contractor

The operating contractor for the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Tennessee might take over security for the facility following a series of security mishaps, the Associated Press reported today (see GSN, Nov. 9).

“We expect to make the decision within the next few weeks,” said Walter Perry of the U.S. Energy Department’s Oak Ridge office.

Wackenhut Services recently received a six-month extension on its contract with the National Nuclear Security Administration, according to AP. However, Y-12 operating contractor BWXT has reportedly been pressing to consolidate its roles at the facility. Supporters argue that consolidation would improve communication between operating and security teams.

In January, a federal inspector general claimed that Wackenhut guards cheated on performance drills, according to AP, and in September semiautomatic handgun training went awry when live ammunition was mistakenly used and a bullet struck a refrigerator.

Wackenhut has “made dramatic improvements in the protective force,” said Lee Brooks, the company’s deputy general manager for the Oak Ridge facility (Associated Press, Nov. 18).

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