[DNFSB LETTERHEAD]

 

November 22, 2005

 

The Honorable Samuel W. Bodman

Secretary of Energy

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20585-1000

 

Dear Secretary Bodman:

 

The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) has received the Department of Energy’s (DOE) request of October 18, 2005, to close Recommendation 2002-2, Weapons Laboratory Support of the Defense Nuclear Complex, issued on October 3, 2002.  The Board agrees that DOE has completed all of the commitments in the Implementation Plan for this recommendation and accepts the proposal to close Recommendation 2002-2.  These actions should help ensure that the capabilities and the experience of the weapon laboratories will continue to support the nuclear weapon program.

 

It is important, however, that DOE continue to improve communication among groups working on safety issues that affect weapon systems.  One of the primary goals of Recommendation 2002-2 was to enhance the process for communication and resolution of safety issues between the weapon laboratories and the rest of the nuclear weapon complex.  The current effort to resolve the electrostatic discharge issue at the Pantex Plant is an example of the type of challenge that will require priority support and open communication from the weapon laboratories.  In the future, efforts to prioritize support and improve communication will ensure that the safety of the nuclear weapon complex is maintained.

 

As part of a Recommendation 2002-2 commitment, the National Nuclear Security Administration forwarded to the Board a list of weapon-specific points of contact at each laboratory.  The Board requests that this list be updated and included in the periodic briefings to the Board on the status of laboratory research and development work for weapon safety.

 

Sincerely,

 

A. J. Eggenberger

Chairman

 

c:   The Honorable Linton Brooks

Mr. Mark B. Whitaker, Jr.