Nuclear Oversight
The objective of the Nuclear Oversight Campaign is to foster citizen activism and governmental accountability in the area of civilian and military nuclear facility operation and clean up, to protect and advocate for whistleblowers, to respond to new environmental threats, and to promote and help achieve nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in a manner that protects the environment, safety, and health
The Nuclear Oversight Campaign seeks to reduce or eliminate environmental, safety, health, and economic consequences of nuclear research, development of new uranium-based conventional weaponry, civilian nuclear power generation, and the production of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction; protect and advocate for nuclear whistleblowers, and injured workers in the nuclear industries; and establish an ethical work culture that encourages and protects the reporting of illegality, threats to health and safety and the environment, mismanagement, fraud, and abuse.
GAP works with whistleblowers at sites including the Hanford Nuclear Facility, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Rocky Flats, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Idaho National Engineering Labs.
Program Highlight: Nonprofit Launched to Transform Hanford Cleanup, Safety
January 23, 2008 -- Hanford Challenge, a new organization GAP is sponsoring as a project, is launching immediately to address the many issues facing the Hanford Nuclear Site in southeastern Washington state. HC will combine decades of experience and hard-won respect with a new mission to achieve safety and sustainable prosperity for people affected by Hanford.
GAP, which will no longer have an office in Seattle, will continue to operate its national Nuclear Oversight Program out of its Washington, D.C. office.
Click here to visit the Hanford Challenge Web site
Click here to read GAP's full press release
Program Highlight: DOE Response to GAP Letter Regarding Washington Closure Hanford
October 2, 2007 -- In response to a GAP letter sent on August 21 (See 8/27 program highlight below), a DOE official has sent a letter of response back to GAP regarding our concerns with Hanford contractor Washington Closure Hanford (WCH).
Click here to read the letter.
Program Highlight: GAP Counters LANL Explanation
September 18, 2007 -- Two months ago, GAP released a report detailing that elevated and potentially harmful levels of radioactivity are present in environmental samples collected in the area around the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico. GAP recommended that more comprehensive studies be undertaken in order to safeguard the public.
LANL officials immediately countered GAP’s thorough report with a quick response you can find here. Today, a presentation will be made by GAP to the Community Radiation Monitoring Group to rebut this counterattack.
Click here to read a summary of the presentation being made today.
Program Highlight: GAP Letter to DOE Urges Review of Contractor
August 27, 2007 -- On August 21, 2007, GAP sent a letter to the new Manager of Department of Energy’s Richland Field Office requesting a review of the actions of Washington Closure Hanford (WCH), a government contractor company performing duties associated with the clean-up efforts at the Hanford nuclear facility in Southwest Washington state. GAP’s letter highlights WCH’s record of repeated safety violations, environmental violations, retaliatory work environments, and failures in proper management of its subcontractors, and requests consideration of suspending and/or debarring WCH from government contracting.
Click here for the letter
Program Highlight: New DOL Policy Fails to End Employment Bans in Whistleblower Settlement Cases
July 26, 2007 -- The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a policy in response to a Rulemaking Petition filed by GAP that fails to provide relief to whistleblowers who are victimized by future employment ban clauses in settlement agreements.
GAP has charged that such a practice is contrary to public policy and effectively blacklists ethical employees at high-hazard work sites, where employees should feel free to voice safety, health and environmental concerns.
Click here to read GAP's press release
Click here to read the DOL directive
Click here to read the accompanying letter from the DOL to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, within the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Program Highlight: GAP Report Finds Elevated Radioactivity Around Los Alamos
July 10, 2007 -- Today, GAP released a report detailing that elevated and potentially harmful levels of radioactivity are present in environmental samples collected in the area around the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico. For sixty-four years, LANL has been used for the research, development, and production of nuclear weapons and devices to facilitate the use of nuclear weapons.
Environmental samples were taken from areas with which the public has routine contact, with the purpose of determining whether radionuclides related to activities at LANL could be detected offsite and, if so, whether levels of offsite radiation could pose a health threat. The results of the study indicate that such a health threat does exist in the area surrounding LANL, and GAP has recommended that more comprehensive studies be undertaken in order to safeguard the public.
Click here for the report
Click here for the press release
Click here for the fact sheet
Program Highlight: Problems with GNEP
June 22, 2007 -- In April, GAP teamed up with the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and Friends of the Earth to release a report, Radioactive Wastes and the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership written by IPS Senior Scholar Robert Alvarez. The report examines the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), a program that proposes to expand nuclear energy usage worldwide. In mid-June, Alvarez made a presentation at Town Hall in Seattle detailing the report and the problems with GNEP, and addressing the “solution” of increased nuclear energy usage to combat global warming.
Click here to read the slideshow presentation, Nuclear Power in the Age of Global Warming: New Solution or Same Old Threat?
Program Highlight: GAP Releases GNEP Report
April 23, 2007 -- Today, GAP released a report, Radioactive Wastes and the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, with the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and Friends of the Earth. The report examines the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), a program that expands nuclear energy usage worldwide. The report questions whether the plan ensures the safe management and disposal of radioactive wastes stemming from the GNEP process.
Click here to read the report
Click here to read the fact sheet
Program Highlight: GAP Makes Front Page of USA Today!
March 14, 2007 -- Today, USA Today ran a front-page story about how the Department of Labor has been approving future employment bans as part of the settlement agreements of whistleblowers who have been retaliated against. This means that individuals who blow the whistle on blatant corruption and are fired must agree to never apply to work at their company again in order to settle. Often, these whistleblowers are forced to settle despite this restriction, due to the desperate financial situation they find themselves in as a result of being fired. Many of these whistleblowers previously exposed safety lapses at nuclear facilities such as the Hanford site in Washington state.
The article and now-heightened attention regarding the issue is due to GAP's work in challenging this practice. USA Today received the documents outlining this abuse of power from GAP and Nuclear Oversight Director Tom Carpenter is mentioned prominently throughout the article.
Click here to read the article!
Program Highlight: GAP Petitions DOL to Stop Employment Ban Clauses
February 7, 2007 -- GAP is asking the federal government to end the systematic blacklisting of whistleblowers working within nuclear and environmental industries in settlement agreements. In a Rulemaking Petition filed yesterday, GAP has asked the Department of Labor, which hears complaints of retaliation from whistleblowers, to disapprove of settlement agreements that have employment ban clauses.
Click here to read the press release!
Click here to read the Rulemaking Petition!
Click here to read examples of ban clauses!
Click here to read the DOL letter releasing the settlement agreements to GAP!
Click here to read a table of settlement agreements that contain the clauses!
Program Highlight: GAP Releases Russia Report Detailing Nuclear Contamination
October 27, 2006 -- Today, GAP is releasing a report on the levels of radionuclear contamination in the Tecka River and Chelyabinsk region of Russia, based on samplings taken by experts in a 2005 trip. These sites are among the most nuclear-contaminated sites in the world.
Click here to read the report!
Click here to read the Nation article!
Program Highlight: GAP Releases Draft Summary of Investigation into Workers’ Concerns at Hanford Contractor
October 26, 2006 -- Today, GAP released the Department of Energy’s draft summary of an investigation into workers’ concerns at Washington Closure Hanford (WCH), a prime DOE contractor responsible for cleaning up the River Corridor A section of the Hanford Nuclear Site. The investigation focuses on worker health and safety problems at WCH, and was done for DOE by Workplace Cornerstone, a private firm.
Click here for the press release!
Click here for the draft summary!
12/6/06 -- Update! Click here for the full report of the investigation!
Program Highlight: GAP Blasts DOE Award to Fluor Hanford
GAP blasted the Department of Energy’s (DOE) announcement that DOE presented a national safety award to the Fluor Hanford company at the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington state earlier this morning. GAP Nuclear Oversight Director Tom Carpenter stated "Giving Fluor a safety award is like giving Enron one for ethics.”
Click here to read the press release!
Program Highlight: GAP Exposes DOE Interference with Hanford Worker Compensation Claims
August 9, 2006 -- GAP has released a report documenting the Department of Energy’s (DOE) interference with worker compensation claim from Hanford employees. The report enumerates many problematic findings in the compensation program, and recommends that control of the claims management be returned to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).
Click here to read the report!
Click here to read the press release!
Program Highlight: GAP Critical of DOE Plan to Dissolve Office of Environment, Safety and Health
The Department of Energy has proposed dissolving the Office of Environment, Safety and Health and eliminating the Assistant Secretary. They plan to merge part of the office with the DOE's Office that oversees security and safeguard and disperse the rest of the ESH functions over 5 other offices. Since GAP released the DOE's May 19 plan, further developments have indicated that the DOE plans to move forward with the dismantlement despite widespread criticism. On July 21, 2006, the DOE released a copy of their "predecisional plan" detailing the dissolution of the ESH, and the creation of a Office of Health, Safety and Security. The DOE has asked for comments no later than August 11.
Three former DOE Assistant Secretaries for Environment Safety & Health, the American Society of Safety Engineers, the United Steelworkers, the Building Trades Unions have all urged DOE to stop its reorganization. Former DOE Secretary and now Governor Bill Richardson (NM) and Christine Gregoire (WA) have also urged to not to dissolve the Office of Environment, Safety and Health.
Click here to read the DOE May 19 draft plan (with employee cross walks)!
Click here to read the letter from American Society of Safety Engineers!
Click here to read the letter from United Steelworkers Union!
Click here to read the letter from three former heads of ES&H!
Click here to read the letter from the Building and Construction Trade Department!
Click here to read the letter from Governors Richardson and Gregoire!
Updates
9/13: Click here to read a press release from the National Treasury Employees Union opposing the ESH dismantlement!
8/31: Click here to read a letter from Sen. Maria Cantwell (D.-Wa) urging hearings regarding DOE's acceptance of the dismantlement plan!
8/30: Click here to read the response letter from the DOE addressing GAP's previous letter! (GAP's original letter appears below - 8/11)
8/22: Click here to read a letter from John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO, to DOE Secretary Bodman opposing the plan to dismantle ESH Office!
8/15: Click here to read a letter from Representatives Dingell, Stupak, Strickland and Brown to the GAO requesting a report on the DOE's plan to dismantle the Office of ESH!
8/11: Click here to read a letter from 17 Senators to Secretary Bodman!
8/11: Click here to read a GAP Letter to Energy Secretary Bodman blasting DOE’s announced plan which will weaken nuclear safety oversight by delegating nuclear safety reviews back to the field organization, and subsume safety and health functions as a minor function within a larger security office. GAP predicts that the DOE will proceed with its reorganization and continue to eviscerate the last vestiges of independent oversight within the Department.
7/28: Click here to read the AFL-CIO's Building Trade Department's comments on the DOE's "predecisional" draft!
7/26: Click here to read the DOE's draft plan for the creation of the Office of Health, Safety and Security!
7/24: DOE Letter to Representative John Dingell
7/24: DOE Response to Representative John Dingell's Questions
7/18: Click here to read a letter from Senators Kennedy (D-Ma) and Bunning (R-Ky) to Energy Secretary Bodman opposing the DOE Plan to dissolve the Office of ESH in the Department of Energy, and requesting a detailed plan before any actions are taken.
7/18: Click here to read the July 5 letter from Senator Bingaman (D-NM) to Energy Secretary Bodman regarding DOE's plan to dissolve ESH Office!
6/27: Click here to read a letter from Representatives Dingell, Stupak, and Strickland to Energy Secretary Bodman questioning the ESH dismantling!
6/26: Letter from the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board to Secretary Bodman
6/21: Letter from Rep. Tom Udall (D-NM) to Secretary Bodman
Program Highlight: GAP Nuclear Oversight Program Hosts International Conference in Russia
May 26, 2006 -- From June 1-2, 2006, GAP will co-host a conference in St. Petersburg, Russia focusing on nuclear safety, the environment, and the protection of whistleblowers. Click here to read the press advisory about the conference!
GAP’s Nuclear Oversight Program has worked together with Russian organizations since 1998 to promote nuclear safety and accountability. In recent years, GAP staff has visited Russia to participate in conferences, conduct joint environmental sampling, and build relationships with nuclear counterparts. Click here to read more about GAP's Russian program!
Program Highlight: Further Congressional Action on Hanford's Waste Treatment Plant!
May 16, 2006 -- GAP has released a House spending bill ordering significant reforms on the Hanford vitrification plant.
Click here to read the House spending bill!
Click here to read GAP's press release!
Program Highlight: GAP Response to the Bechtel Rebuttal Regarding the 60 Minutes Hanford Segment
May 5, 2006 -- GAP has reviewed Bechtel's response to April 30 Hanford segment on 60 Minutes, which was largely based on GAP documents showing gross incompetence of the Waste Treatment Plant. It appears that Bechtel has chosen to re-write the record with its own spin about the serious mismanagement of this project.
Click here to read GAP's response!
Program Highlight: Wrongdoing Exposed at Hanford!
May 1, 2006 -- Today, GAP has released several documents that expose gross managerial wrongdoing and incompetence at the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) in Washington state. The documents indicate that the Department of Energy (DOE) and the contractor in charge of cleanup at the site, Bechtel, have knowingly installed defective equipment that is supposed to contain high-level nuclear waste. These, and numerous other actions, have endangered the citizens of the Pacific Northwest.
Click here to read GAP’s press release!
Click here to read the timeline of the “Scrubber vessel,” the vessel described above as one of several defective pieces installed, and the corresponding documents proving DOE and Bechtel knew of its problems before installation.
Click here to read GAP’s Hanford Vitrification Plant Background!
The installation of one known defective vessel was the result of Bechtel’s rush to receive a $15 million fee for meeting a deadline, coupled with a complete lack of oversight by DOE. This was only to be followed months later by another DOE payment to Bechtel of $22 million for Bechtel’s use in taking steps to combat its own negligence and incompetence.
Up to 66 other vessels crucial for environmental safety and public health were built using incorrect specifications. GAP is urging for these vessels to be reinspected to ensure public and worker safety.
Regrettably, this is not the first time that the WTP has come under harsh criticism. When the project originally began, the DOE approved a “fast track” approach to the project. This decision has proven to be a disaster. Equipment installed by Bechtel has consistently failed to meet specifications, causing a serious threat to the safety of the general public. A total lack of foresight has left the WTP site vulnerable to an earthquake. Given the fact that Hanford is close to one of the world’s most active fault lines, such poor planning is inexcusable. This mistake alone raised the WTP construction budget from approximately $6 billion to $10 billion.
The problems that plague Hanford can be attributed to a tremendous lack of oversight on the project. Bechtel has consistently cut corners because the DOE failed to adequately supervise the ongoing construction of the plant in a manner that ensures citizen safety. While the residents of Washington have been fortunate that Bechtel’s substandard work has not caused a catastrophe to this point, future negligence on the part of Bechtel could prove tragic. Therefore, it is imperative that DOE and Bechtel are held accountable for their actions.
Specifically, GAP is again calling for real, independent oversight of the project – namely that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) get involved. DOE has been proved incompetent and incapable of handling this massive program. It is time for the NRC, a body well respected and known for heavy and thorough scrutiny of projects dealing with nuclear waste, to have total control of this project.
GAP will continue to advocate for more openness and transparency in the Hanford clean-up effort. We will not allow Bechtel and the DOE to continue to endanger the health and safety of thousands.
Program Highlight: Action Alert! Hanford Workers - Help Set the Record Straight!
Are Ecology workers safe? Are the permits Ecology issues fully protective? Is the permit coverage adequate to protect the public? You tell us.
This fall we sent a letter to Ecology expressing concerns safety culture, and level of protection that Ecology’s permits provide to workers and the environment. Ecology’s response implied that their current programs and actions are sufficient. Are they? If you could write the response to GAP what would you say?
Click here to read our letter to Ecology and their response!
Nuclear Oversight Focuses:
Hanford Nuclear Facility: This page details our ongoing and continual work to make Hanford a safe place for all the people of the Pacific Northwest. Here, you can find GAP produced videos about Hanford. This site also contains information about I-297, last year's Washington state initiative specifying that no more nuclear waste can be shipped into the state without first cleaning up Hanford.
 Recent GAP Ad Campaign: In 2005, GAP launched an ad campaign throughout Washington state aimed at encouraging Hanford whistleblowers to come forward. The television and radio advertisements feature GAP client Matt Taylor, an ex-Hanford worker and whistleblower, and details his story of retaliation toward him form Hanford contractor management and workers in response to his raising public safety concerns. To read more about Matt Taylor's ordeal, click here.
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL): This page details Don Brown's, lead Quality Assurance Auditor at LANL, findings of extremely unsafe processes, systems and equipment throughout the facility.
EEOICPA: GAP has launched its own program dedicated to helping those workers claiming benefits under EEOICPA, or the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Employment Compensation Act.
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