Complex Transformation
Click here to read the executive summary of the Final Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement.
 Complex Transformation is NNSA's vision for a smaller, safer, more secure and less expensive nuclear weapons complex that leverages the scientific and technical capabilities of our workforce and meets national security requirements.
The current complex is too old with too many facilities, which were required for the Cold War security environment, but are no longer necessary to use or affordable to maintain. Costs are escalating, and special nuclear materials are stored across too many different sites, which also means the cost of securing this material is escalating as well. Because the trend in funding for NNSA has been flat, transformation is needed to ensure critical activities are maintained into the future.
Watch NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs Robert Smolen speak about the need for Complex Transformation here. (30 MB video; 8 minutes)
The draft proposal for a future complex would:
- Consolidate special nuclear materials at five sites by the end of 2012, with reduced square footage within those sites by 2017;
- Close or transfer from weapons activities about 600 buildings or structures, many by 2010;
- Reduce NNSA footprint at two major testing sites supporting its laboratories by 2015;
- Reduce the square footage of buildings and structures supporting weapons missions by 9 million square feet, going from greater than 35 million to less than 26 million square feet;
- Employ 20-30% fewer workers directly supporting weapons missions consistent with a smaller, more efficient complex;
- Dismantle weapons at a significantly faster pace.
The proposal would also achieve President Bush's vision of the smallest stockpile consistent with our national security needs. Over the next several years, the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile will be reduced by nearly 50 percent from the 2001 level, making it the smallest stockpile since the Eisenhower administration.
More information on Complex Transformation can be found at http://www.complextransformationspeis.com/.
Public Comments
Thousands of citizens attended more than 80 hours of public hearings and provided more than 600 oral comments regarding NNSA’s proposed transformation plan. There were a total of 20 public hearings over a 36 day span at NNSA sites and other locations.
NNSA provided more than double the time required by law to comment and held more public hearings than it has held for this type of activity. More than 100,000 comments have been received.
|
