To prepare for a public meeting with the U.S. Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (“the Board”) in Santa Fe on Monday evening, CCNS followed its policy of reviewing at least the last eight weeks of the Board’s reports for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and used that as a basis for questions and comments to present to the Board. What we found:
In its May 2nd, 2025 report, the Board looks at the status of the proposed venting of radioactive tritium from up to four Flanged Tritium Waste Containers stored at Area G. It states that a team completed the Contractor Readiness Assessment that resulted in six pre-start findings that were being reviewed. It is unknown whether the pre-start findings were resolved. https://www.dnfsb.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/Los%20Alamos%20Week%20Ending%20May%202%202025.pdf
The Board’s May 16th report reveals that the next level of review, called a Federal Readiness Assessment, was done. Its purpose was to find out whether the LANL contractors, Triad and N3B, were capable of safely venting the tritium containers and whether the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration would provide effective oversight.
As part of the assessment, a mock venting of a tritium container was staged at LANL’s Technical Area 49.
The Board reported: “During the out-brief, the assessment team discussed six pre-start and one post-start finding. [In] three of the pre-start findings related to procedure quality and compliance, including instances where procedures could not be performed as written, steps were signed off as completed despite being incorrect or not fully understood, and steps were signed off as completed without being performed.” https://www.dnfsb.gov/sites/default/files/2025-07/Los%20Alamos%20Week%20Ending%20May%2016%202025.pdf
Shockingly, the following weekly reports did not reveal what happened as a result of DOE not following procedures, signing off on tasks that were not completed or performed. Yet, LANL claims: “The main objective of radioactive waste management is to protect workers, the public and the environment from the potential harmful effects of radioactive waste and to minimize the burden for future generations.” https://www.lanl.gov/engage/environment/ftwc
Joni Arends, of CCNS, reflected, “It is unconscionable that DOE signed off on essential steps to protect public health and the environment from exposure to tritium without performing the necessary tasks. How can the public possibly believe what DOE says about the proposed venting when it misrepresents completing key steps in its process? It’s time to go back to square one.”
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, an independent oversight organization, was created in 1988 to provide advice and recommendations to the DOE Secretary regarding public health and safety at defense nuclear facilities, such as LANL. https://www.dnfsb.gov/
- Friday, August 1st from noon to 1 pm –
Join your neighbors and friends at the intersection of East Alameda and Sandoval for the weekly one-hour peaceful protest for nuclear disarmament and against expanded plutonium pit production at LANL. Join with Veterans for Peace, CCNS, Nuclear Watch NM, Loretto Community, New Mexico Peace Fest, Pax Christi and others. Bring your flags, signs and banners in support of nuclear weapons disarmament.
- 80th Anniversary Events:
Remembering Trinity, Hiroshima and Nagasaki – July 16, August 6, and August 9, 2025. Physicians for Social Responsibility provide a listing of commemoration events around the country. Check for an event or events in your area at https://psr.org/get-involved/80th-anniversary-events/
- Friday, August 1st through Friday, August 29th –
Anti-Uranium Mapping Project Opening with photographer and activist Shayla Blatchford who documents her 14-year journey to expose the hidden truths of extractive mining practices on the Navajo Nation. CENTER, 1570 Pacheco St., Unit B1, Santa Fe, NM.
Special reception for the artist on Thursday, August 14th from 5 to 8 pm.
https://www.antiuraniummappingproject.com/
- Tuesday, August 5th from 7 am to 9 am PDT and from 5 pm to 7 pm PDT –
Two Virtual Celebrations of the Life of Joanna Macy, hosted by the Work That Reconnects Network.
“With full hearts, we invite you to gather in love and remembrance of Joanna Macy – our beloved root teacher, mentor, friend and now… ancestor.
“Joanna’s life was a profound gift to the world. Through her workshops, writings, teachings and mere presence – she gave us new ways to hold grief, cultivate resilience and to act with courage and tenderness in a complex world. The Work That Reconnects – possibly her greatest offering – continues to pulse through every one of us.
“Join us to celebrate her life, her legacy and the Great Turning she named and nurtured.”
To register for one or both celebrations, go to: https://mailchi.mp/workthatreconnects/joanna-macy-celebrations?e=6bda6997d8
- Wednesday, August 6th from 11 am to 1 pm –
Hiroshima Day Anti-War Rally in Taos. Gather on the corner of Paseo del Pueblo and Albright. Sponsored by Taoseños for Peaceful and Livable Futures. For more information: eototos@gmail.com
* Remember: U.S. Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima, Japan *
* Halt Nuclear Warhead Core Production at LANL*
* It Started Here! Let’s Stop It Here! *
* Fund Human Needs not WAR! *
* Halt the Genocide! *
* Never Again!
- Wednesday, August 6th at 5:30 pm MT –
80th Anniversary of the Hiroshima Atomic Bombing at 1420 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM. Sponsored by: Back from the Brink New Mexico Hub, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Watch New Mexico, Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, Up in Arms. For more information and a link for online viewing, go to https://nukewatch.org
Note: Park in back of the building, via Taos Street, one block east of Cerrillos Road.
- Saturday, August 9th from 10 am to 3 pm
– Nagasaki – Japan – 80th Anniversary Commemoration in Los Alamos, NM. At two locations: Manhattan Project National Historic Park (Ashley Pond) and SALA Event Center. Vigil and Protest, March, Viewing Two Documentaries with Q&A with filmmakers, March, and Refreshments. Please see last week’s CCNS News Update for details: https://nuclearactive.org/join-us-on-saturday-august-9th-for-nagasaki-commemoration-events-in-los-alamos/