Energy Dept. Fines Y-12 Plant Contractor for Fire

The U.S. Energy Department has levied an $82,500 fine against the company BWXT, which operates the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn., for an April 2003 fire at the facility, the Associated Press reported last week (see GSN, Jan. 23).

The fire occurred during an experiment involving wet uranium powder that became overpressurized and exploded, causing a chemical reaction and fire. The Energy Department cited BWXT for a series of violations of operational and technical safety requirements, AP reported (Associated Press/WATE.com, June 10).

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