[DNFSB LETTERHEAD]

 

May 14, 2004

 

The Honorable Linton Brooks

Administrator

National Nuclear Security Administration

U.S. Department of Energy

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20585-0701

 

Dear Ambassador Brooks:

 

The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) has received a letter dated April 30, 2004, from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) in response to the Board’s request of January 27, 2004, for a report on conduct of engineering at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).  NNSA requests an extension of 90 days to satisfy the Board’s request.

 

Enclosed with the NNSA letter was a letter from LANL giving brief progress reports on nine initiatives designed to enhance conduct of engineering and the implementation of Department of Energy Order 420.1A, Facility Safety, for facility work.  LANL’s letter also stated that the laboratory is establishing a single site-wide engineering program for both facility and nonfacility work and described steps being taken to significantly improve conduct of engineering at LANL.  In addition, the Board was briefed on LANL’s progress on March 15, 2004.

 

In view of the progress made at LANL, the Board agrees to a 90-day extension of the due date for the requested report.

 

Sincerely,

 

John T. Conway

Chairman

 

c:   The Honorable Everet H. Beckner

The Honorable Jessie Hill Roberson

Mr. Mark B. Whitaker, Jr.