Where Are the Keys to the Nuke Labs?
The Energy Department is conducting a widespread review of security at America's nuclear weapons laboratories after reports of hundreds of missing keys, some of which could allow access to sensitive areas.
Sources tell CBS News that lock and key experts will begin visiting all U.S. nuclear labs next month to assess the problem of missing keys and apparent security lapses, reports CBS News Correspondent Sharyl Attkisson.
The review follows reports last summer that Oak Ridge National Laboratory had reported "a number" of keys missing.
In fact, 200 keys were missing.
Oak Ridge, located in Tennessee, was part of the Manhattan Project where uranium was processed for the first atomic bomb. Also known by its World War II code name "Y-12", it's considered the Fort Knox of highly enriched uranium — the kind terrorists could use for a devastating bomb.
Some of the missing keys, according to one source, "provide possible access to sensitive areas" at Oak Ridge.
Get the rest of this CBS News story.
Matt's Chat
This is appalling! With great power comes great responsibility. One of those responsibilities, I would think, would be to make sure that the nuclear material is secure at all times.It is outrageous to think that some people in this country just don't get it yet... Our facilities have got to be secure. If there is a key missing, it needs to be reported. Security is a serious thing, particularly when it comes to nuclear facilities.
It doesn't matter how much it will cost to fix, it is money well spent. But it will be a waste if the keys aren't controlled. And that would really tick off the taxpayers.
Mark's Remarks
I want to know the 5 w's here. Who had the keys, when did they have them, why did they have them, where did they have them, etc. I bet most of this oversight occurred under Slick Willie, the man who twice lost our nuclear launch codes. There should be heads rolling over this.
