Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Rick Perry and National Nuclear Security Administration Administrator Lisa Gordon-Hagerty to tour the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS).
“Today, we had an informative tour and productive conversation with Secretary Perry at the Nevada National Security Site. We’d like to thank the many Nevadans who work at the site for their commitment and dedication to their work.
“During our tour with Secretary Perry, we viewed the weapons-grade plutonium from the South Carolina site currently stored at the NNSS and discussed the security and safety procedures that are in place to keep Nevadans safe. We also made clear that we expected the Department of Energy (DOE) to remove that plutonium starting in 2021 in keeping with Secretary Perry’s written agreement. With Secretary Perry, we made it clear that the DOE must take the necessary steps to productively engage with state leaders and restore trust with Nevadans. This includes a commitment by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to provide regular briefings on the status and progress of the transfer with our offices so that we can ensure accountability.
“While we both appreciate Secretary Perry’s engagement today, we strongly reiterated that we would be ensuring he and his Department honor their agreement to remove the weapons-grade plutonium from Nevada.”