WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced today that a Record of Decision (ROD) for its plan for continued operation of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has been signed by NNSA Administrator Linton F. Brooks. The ROD announces NNSA’s plans for operating the laboratory for the next ten years, and lists the potential environmental impacts associated with continuing laboratory operations.

NNSA has decided to implement the Proposed Action Alternative as described in the Environmental Impact Statement, published on April 29, 2005, because it best supports NNSA’s missions vital to national security. This includes the continued operation of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, an increase in administrative and material-at-risk limits for plutonium and tritium, and experiments conducted at the National Ignition Facility using fissile and fissionable materials.

The Record of Decision concludes a decision-making and public participation process that began in February 2004 and included public hearings.

The Record of Decision is available for review at the following locations:

• Livermore Public Library, 1000 South Livermore Ave., Livermore, CA 94550 (925) 373-5500;
• Tracy Public Library, 20 East Eaton Ave., Tracy, CA 95376 (209) 831-4250;
• NNSA/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Public Reading Room, Discovery Center, Building 6525, located at the East Gate entrance off Greenville Road, Livermore, CA 94551 (925) 424-4026;
• U.S. Department of Energy Freedom of Information Act Office and Reading Room, Room 1E-190, 1000 Independence Ave, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20585 (202) 586-3142; and
• Internet link at www-envirinfo.llnl.gov.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for maintaining and enhancing the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; working to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; providing the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responding to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Media contact(s):
Bryan Wilkes, (202) 586-7371
John Belluardo, (925) 422-2028

Number: NA-05-31