LLNL - The True Story -

"A legislative compromise should make it "less painful" for Washington to study the cost of modernizing its nuclear arsenal, one congressional source says. At issue is an Energy Department plan to create interoperable nuclear warheads capable of multiple tasks. The first such weapon that Energy contractors would develop would be called the IW-1, envisioned as having the ability to replace both the Air Force W-78 warhead -- currently fitted on ground-based ballistic missiles -- and the Navy W-88 warhead, used on submarine-based missiles. In Congress, the plan has prompted concerns from both sides of the aisle, with lawmakers suggesting that the Obama administration should first compare its cost to that of an alternative plan under which it would simply refurbish the existing two warheads." http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/compromise-bill-could-make-nuclear-warhead-cost-study-less-painful/

LLNL Wins Age Discrimination Lawsuit!! Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has won the age discrimination phase of a lawsuit alleging that 130 Laboratory employees were laid off improperly in 2008. In a verdict rendered last week in Alameda County Superior Court, a jury found that Laboratory managers had acted in good faith and followed their own policies and the law with regard to the ages of the laid off employees

A journal article co-authored by a current employee at Sandia National Laboratories has been retracted: http://retractionwatch.com/2012/06/08/jacs-science-retracting-three-papers-from-leading-emory-chemist-craig-hill/

I’ve been offered a job at the lab and am going through the rigorous clearance screening process. I am not sure whether I should tell the HR department that my credit is not perfect. We lost our home during the recession and what followed was some pretty damaging stuff on our credit. The position that they are considering me for has access to proprietary information. Can you please ask other bloggers if they have any thoughts regarding this dilemma? Thank you in advanced. Signed, Midscore640

CIP: DOE says yes, LLNS says not so fast.

When is Monya Lane leaving? It was published she was leaving last June, but no date given and she is still here. I understand not having interim director Brett Knapp having to decide this but couldn't someone in Engineering who will probably remain with LLNL do a better job than Monya as a lame duck? Plus LLNL would save an AD salary!

AF General re-assigned because of behavior during Russia trip And he was in charge of the nuclear forces. When will these guys learn to behave? * * *http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/report-us-air-force-general-drank-too-much-fraternized-with-foreign-women-in-moscow/2013/12/19/7f3cdba0-68ed-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html?hpid=z4

LANL contract not extended by NNSA http://www.lamonitor.com/content/lab-scores-89-percent-nnsa-performance-evaluation

Marylia Kelley said... http://nnsa.energy.gov/aboutus/ouroperations/apm/perfevals This link will lead you to the NNSA Memorandum of December 16, 2013 RE: LLNL, LLC's FY 2013 Performance Fee. As you will see, LLNS did not earn the "award term." However, the Performance Evaluation Report - upon which this memo is based - is not yet up on the web. Some of you will recall that last year, the Fee Determining Official (at that time, Neile Miller) gave LLNL management a "bump up" to allow them the "award term." She also gave LANL management an anomaly to give them the "award term." Congress was not amused - and so it may be particularly interesting to see the actual Performance Evaluation Reports this year. Tri-Valley CAREs will be watching for the FY 2013 Performance Evaluation Report, and will use the Freedom of Information Act to ensure its public availability if it is not posted by NNSA on the web in a timely manner.

How you rate the managers in the various directorates?

LLNL receives annual performance scores 12/20/13 The Laboratory has received the scores determined by the NNSA Fee Determination Official for fiscal year 2013, earning an overall 87 percent of the total fee, or $41.3 million. We are pleased NNSA recognizes the Lab's continued strong performance in programs, operations and infrastructure, but we are disappointed an award term was not given. For the three program-related performance objectives (mission and science), the Laboratory earned two ratings of "very good" and one rating of "excellent." The Operations and Infrastructure Performance Objective received a rating of "very good." For the Contractor Leadership Performance Objective, the Laboratory earned a rating of "satisfactory." Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, holds a seven-year contract to manage the Laboratory, with four consecutive one-year award terms already earned, taking the contract to 2018. Additional award terms co...

Our latest column from the Fissile Materials Working Group explores lessons from Australia, because no country should be complacent about nuclear and radiological terrorism. I hope you find it of interest! Best, Janice Nuclear security lessons from Australia: http://thebulletin.org/nuclear-security-lessons-australia -- Janice Sinclaire Internet Outreach Coordinator

I heard a rumor earlier this week that one of the unions and LLNS are at a stalemate on contract talks. The union is about to go on strike, and operations may be cut back at LLNL. Anyone have any details or knowledge of the issues?

Ken Moody AAAS Fellow Award Congratulations to Ken for this acknowledgement of his contributions to science and actinide research. It begs me to wonder how and why he is still there at the lab so long. I would have expected management and the sniper culture adopted by the mediocrity to have done him in or chased him out. The hollow acknowledgment by the lab are more than compensated by his recognition in the broader community. He serves as an exemplar and beacon for scientific excellence despite to strive for institutional and technical failure and mediocrity around him. Congratulations to Ken Moody.

Robert Peurifoy, a retired Sandia vice president who worked on the B-61, disagrees with current Sandia President Paul Hommert and questions the need for the LEP. From the recent December 2013 Issue of "Physics Today": Costing up to $10 billion over a dozen years, the refurbishment of what is planned to be the last class of US nuclear bombs is the lowest-cost option for extending its life for several decades, officials from the Departments of Defense and Energy insist. But some critics of the B-61 life extension program (LEP) question whether the program is necessary. At least one of the modifications planned for it—a new guided tail kit supplied by the US Air Force—would increase its military capabilities, not just ensure its reliability and safety. Sandia National Laboratories director Paul Hommert warned lawmakers during the hearing that without the LEP, the B-61 will reach a point where it will no longer be reliable “in the next decade.” Robert Peurifoy, a retired Sa...

Statistical Impact of Disproportionate Age Discrimination at Lawrence Livermore Lab *************************************************************************************************************************************** The plaintiffs in Phase II of our trial Andrews v. Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) have suffered emotional distress, humiliation, and feelings of inadequacy as a result of their illegal layoffs from Lawrence Livermore Lab (LLNL) in 2008. The disproportionate layoff of workers age 40+, leading to disparate age discrimination at LLNL, can be illustrated through statistical analysis. To that end, plaintiff’s expert witness, statistics Professor William Lepowsky, came to the conclusion that the odds of so many older employees, over age 40, being laid off were “1 in 1,091,000.” The emotional and statistical significance of this layoff are at the heart of our case. Andrews vs. Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC is a unique case that began with Ju...

This news article below deserves top billing, if nothing else than to better inform DOE contractor employees about a major hack at DOE HQ that the DOE still hasn't properly informed people about! It was a serous breach of security involving lots of personal information .... *** Free Beacon - Dec 13, 2012 *** IG: Personal Information Stolen from 104,179 after Energy Department Cyber Attack -- Hackers breached system with ‘relative ease’ .... The Energy Department also underreported the significance of the breach, saying only 53,000 employees were affected prior to the IG’s investigation. As a result, many employees were not informed that their personal information was stolen. The department is still in the process of notifying all of its employees. “We also found that the extent of PII stolen was much more extensive than that originally reported by the Department,” the IG said. “Breached information exceeded just names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers as initially...

Hi there, I’ve been offered a job at the lab and am going through the rigorous clearance screening process. I am not sure whether I should tell the HR department that my credit is not perfect. We lost our home during the recession and what followed was some pretty damaging stuff on our credit. The position that they are considering me for has access to proprietary information. Can you please ask other bloggers if they have any thoughts regarding this dilemma? Thank you in advanced. Signed, Midscore640

Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor Todd Jacobson Dec 6, 2013 The University of California has formed a committee to search for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s next director,, and the group will solicit input from employees at its first meeting in January, Norm Pattiz, the chairman of the UC Board of Regents Committee on Oversight of the DOE Laboratories, said in a message to employees this week. Pattiz will chair the 17-member search committee, which will take nominations through the end of January. Parney Albright abruptly resigned last month as the lab’s director effective Nov. 1. “LLNL has a stellar record of outstanding science, engineering and technology in support of the nation, and the selection of a visionary leader is critical to the Laboratory’s continued success,” Pattiz said in his message to employees. “I can assure you that the selection of your next leader is a responsibility that all of us involved in the search process take very seriously. Collectively, ...

A budget deal has been reached! Is this bad news for the labs? Is the NNSA going to get the sequester cuts? http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/11/us/politics/party-leaders-indicate-deal-is-reached-on-budget.html?_r=0

LLNS has found a way to transfer moneys already earned by the worker to their coffers. Gee, if they were half way competent, they could also charge an administrative and record keeping fee on time card submissions, sick leave, vacation, etc. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9eIrcyRIQxya0x0Z042dEU1REE/edit?usp=sharing

Kennette Benedict has posted a terrific piece on how nuclear disarmament will make us (and our economy) stronger. I hope you find it of interest! Best regards, Janice Why vote for disarmament? http://thebulletin.org/why-vote-nuclear-disarmament -- Janice Sinclaire Internet Outreach Coordinator

The central matter facing UC as they search for the next Director is should LLNL be uniquely focused on weapons work, or expanding its sponsor suite. This question has been danced around since the transition, but still remains an open subject. In the last six years, between the two facilities, six leaders have been tasked with program funding diversification in an effort to migrate towards a multi-sponsor lab (LLNL: Doesburg, Albright, Warner; LANL: Beason, Reese, Wallace). Internally some have regarded this as a fool’s errand, while others have watched SNL benefit from non-weapons programmatic projects. In its typical schizophrenic fashion, NNSA has sent mixed signals on how these efforts are viewed – derisively calling them work for “others” and simultaneously making a big deal out of the cooperation agreement that was signed with DOD, DHS, and IC. The multiple attempts by multiple lab leaders to move the needle on WFO funding have led to very limited success, and in most cases have ...

https://www.llnl.gov/director-search/committee.html

Weapon Complex Monitor December 5, 2013 The University of California has begun the search for a new Vice President for Laboratory Management after Glenn Mara recently announced his retirement. Mara took over as the head of UC’s lab management efforts last year, replacing Bruce Darling. Mara has served at both Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, last serving at Los Alamos as the head of its weapons program until 2008. He left Livermore in 2004 after serving as the lab’s deputy director of operations. He is expected to remain in the position until a successor is chosen. In a job posting released yesterday seeking nominations and applications for Mara’s job, UC officials gave no timeline for the search, but outlined the job’s requirements. “The Vice President should have an outstanding record of accomplishment in a scientific program, engineering, and/or the operations and administration disciplines that underwrite the mission of the three laboratories [LBNL, LLNL, ...

Moral of the story, KEEP VOTING DEMOCRATIC! Detroit is all Democratic (Spendocratic) and Union even in the State Constitution to leave Union pensions alone. "Even for those who think this common sense has been a long time coming, it’s a tough hit for Detroit city workers at or near retirement age. Not only does it mean they’ll get less than they were promised, the news comes late in their lives, at a time when they have little way to make up for it. And they won’t be the last, given the unfunded pensions across this country". Good luck with your pension with Democrats running (into a grave) California. Second moral: You voted for Spendocrats and soon you will get what you deserve. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- http://nypost.com/2013/12/06/detroit-and-the-impact-on-pension-reform/

By J. Gary Gwilliam “The odds of this many older employees, over 40, being laid off were 1 in 1,091,000.” – Randall Strauss attorney Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli, & Brewer In order to understand the injustice of the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS) layoffs of 430 employees in 2008, it is essential to weigh some of the initial facts surrounding this case. Phase II of our trial Andrews v. Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) and Lawrence Livermore Lab, the second trial for the five plaintiffs, focuses on disproportionate age discrimination claims. Facts Surrounding Lawrence Livermore Lab Layoffs The following facts begin to paint a picture how LLNS disproportionately laid off workers 40+ in an age discriminatory manner. Layoff History: prior to the LLNS layoffs in 2008, Lawrence Livermore Lab had not had a layoff in over 30 years How Many Laid Off: LLNS laid off 430 employees Lawrence Livermore National Security: LLNS a private company, that ...

As agreed among the Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) partners, the University of California (UC) is responsible for leading the search for the next LLNL Director. Today, UC Regent and Chairman of the LLNS Board of Governors Norman Pattiz announced the commencement of the LLNL Director search process. In a letter to employees requesting nominations for and asking for comments on the position, Pattiz indicated: "The University's search process will be similar in scope and breadth to those of prior Director searches for all three UC-affiliated labs -- Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos (LANL) and Lawrence Berkeley (LBNL) national laboratories. The process includes use of a Search Committee and a Screening Task Force, both of which include LLNL colleagues." In addition, an executive search firm has been hired. A number of actions have been accomplished or are in the planning stages: - Chairman Pattiz and UC President Janet Napolitano have approved the Search ...

Double standard for lab upper management? LANL Employees File Complaint Against Former Supervisor - Los Alamos Daily Post, Dec 4th 2013 ..."This was a horrifying situation, Erika was assaulted by her high ranking employer who demanded sex ... she complained to high level Laboratory officials who did nothing to help her, instead they rewarded the perpetrator by allowing him to retire with full benefits," Day told the Los Alamos Daily Post today. "Mr. Stanford supervised both Erika and her husband William and he knew William was aware of what he was doing and he didn't care. His behavior was that of a pig and the Lab took no action to step in and stop it."... http://www.ladailypost.com/content/lanl-employees-file-complaint-against-former-supervisor Why did the executive management at LANS continue to protect this "pig" (sexual harasser?) Why do the regular staff get bombarded with online training, etc. regarding sexual harassment but when it actu...

Marvin Adams Screening Task Force Chairman HTRI Professor of Nuclear Engineering Director, Institute of National Security Education and Research Texas A&M University William Jeffrey President & CEO, HRL Labs, LLC Former Director National Institute of Standards and Technology Steven Beckwith LLNS Board of Governors Vice President for Research & Graduate Studies University of California Office of the President Michael Nacht Thomas and Alison Schneider Professor of Public Policy University of California, Berkeley Frances Alston Director Environment, Safety & Health Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Natalie Roe Physics Division Director Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory John Browne Director Emeritus Los Alamos National Laboratory John Sarrao Associate Director Theory, Simulation & Computation Los Alamos National Laboratory Robert Byer Co-Director Stanford Photonics Research Center Department of Applied Physics Stanford University Cliff Shang Directo...

Watchdog organization sues for Sandia nuke safety records: http://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/watchdog-sues-for-sandia-nuke-safety-records_16447506

All managers I have dealt with in PLS are abusive....However, remember they are guided by Employee Relations. They are unprofessional and have lost millions for the laboratory. If we actually had competent people in Employee Relations this would not happen. My advice is fire everyone in Employee Relations and find people who will hold abusive manager and this will save the laboratory millions of dollars in lawsuits. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 24, 2013 at 6:27 PM You must realize that ER does absolutely nothing that they are not told to do by LLNS upper management. Management abuse of employees comes from the top. Is is their corporate culture. Live with it or leave. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 24, 2013 at 7:14 PM Frankly ER has no reason to exist at LLNS.

Hugh Gusterson believes the US government now faces the same dilemma over drones as it did over nuclear weapons in the late 1940s, and Filippa Lentzos examines the claim that Syria may have a weapon, perhaps a bioweapon, that can "blind in an instant," as Assad claims. These are great reads, and I hope you find them of interest. Which Drone Future Will Americans Choose? http://thebulletin.org/which-drone-future-will-americans-choose Syria and Bioweapons Transparency: http://www.thebulletin.org/syria-and-bioweapons-need-transparency -- Janice Sinclaire Internet Outreach Coordinator

Weapons Complex Monitor November 20, 2013 Hagel, Moniz Seek to Assure Feinstein Over B61 Refurbishment The Obama Administration will pursue retirement of the B83 nuclear gravity bomb once the current B61 life extension program is completed, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said in a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) earlier this month. Feinstein has been an outspoken skeptic of the Administration’s plans to refurbish the B61, a plan that it says will allow for future stockpile reductions by combining four B61 variants into one new refurbished bomb. In their Nov. 6 letter, which was obtained by NW&M Monitor, Hagel and Moniz noted that Feinstein suggested during a meeting with Liz Sherwood-Randall of the National Security Staff that she would support the B61 LEP if it led to stockpile cuts and the retirement of the B83 and sought to assure Feinstein that would take place. “Having a single B61 variant will enable a reduction i...

Any of this below in the AP story sound familiar? Headline: Nuke troubles run deep; key officers "burned out" - Nov 20, 2013 - WASHINGTON (AP) — Trouble inside the Air Force's nuclear missile force runs deeper and wider than officials have let on. An unpublished study for the Air Force, obtained by The Associated Press, cites "burnout" among launch officers with their fingers on the triggers of 450 weapons of mass destruction. Also, evidence of broader behavioral issues across the intercontinental ballistic missile force, including sexual assaults and domestic violence. The study, provided to the AP in draft form, says that court-martial rates in the nuclear missile force in 2011 and 2012 were more than twice as high as in the overall Air Force. Administrative punishments, such as written reprimands for rules violations and other misbehavior, also were higher in those years. These indicators add a new dimension to an emerging picture of malaise and worse i...

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/11/12/microsoft_kills_stack_ranking_reviews/

Bret Knapp All-Hands - any comments of note?

Jan 1st and this next round of cuts will be far more painful than the first dose of last spring. The poisoned political atmosphere in Congress makes it highly unlikely that sequestration cuts will be throttled back anytime soon. Further cutbacks in lab staffing will be necessary soon after these next cuts hit. Get prepared as best you can: ******** Automatic spending cuts would bite more in 2014 ********* AP News, Nov 11, 2013 WASHINGTON (AP) — The first year of automatic, across-the-board budget cuts didn't live up to the dire predictions from the Obama administration and others who warned of sweeping furloughs and big disruptions of government services. The second round just might. Several federal agencies found lots of loose change that helped them through the automatic cuts in the 2013 budget year that ended Sept. 30, allowing them to minimize furloughs and maintain many services. Most of that money, however, has been spent. The Pentagon used more than $5 billion in uns...

It has been a week since a LANL guard lost their gun and the search goes on. Where could it be?

Creedon nominated to be #2 at NNSA http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/11/06/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts Madelyn Creedon, Nominee for Principal Deputy Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy Madelyn Creedon is the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs, a position she has held since 2011. From 2001 to 2011, Ms. Creedon was counsel for the Democratic staff on the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services and was responsible for the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces as well as threat reduction and nuclear nonproliferation issues. From 2000 to 2001, she served as the Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration, and from 1997 to 2000 she was counsel on the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Ms. Creedon was the Associate Deputy Secretary of Energy from 1995 to 1997 and served as the General Counsel for the Defense Base Closure and Realignment ...

An example of just another gift that just keeps on giving, and giving, and gives some more. http://www.pogo.org/blog/2013/11/20131106-new-documents-show-former-rep-ran-through-revolving-door.html

Ex-Congresswoman Heather Wilson inappropriately paid by Sandia Labs: http://www.nukewatch.org/watchblog/?p=1617 "The DOE IG report said that the facts indicate that federal funds were used for prohibited lobbying activities"

Lockheed Martin joins others to run NNSA sites .. The contract that consolidates the NNSA facilities could portend the fate of the Sandia National Laboratories’ contract. The NNSA, in a cost-cutting move, consolidated Y-12 and Pantex. .. “NNSA is moving toward a smaller and less expensive enterprise,” the agency said in the RFI. .. http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2013/11/04/lockheed-joins-others-to-run-NNSA-sites.html ------------------------- Guess who will be combined next? LLNL & LANL. Knapp is the vanguard for this move. November 5, 2013 at 8:48 AM

Los Alamos security lost gun http://www.koat.com/news/new-mexico/albuquerque/gun-missing-from-lanl-security/-/9153728/22804010/-/u7vwmgz/-/index.html

Congressman Swalwell Introduces the Bipartisan National Laboratories Mean National Security Act - November 4, 2013 The following information is from the office of U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell: U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) introduced H.R. 3438, the National Laboratories Mean National Security Act, to ensure the full resources of Department of Energy (DOE) labs like Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Laboratories are clearly available to help states and localities secure our country. The government-owned, contractor-operated structure of the national labs has caused some state and local recipients of federal homeland security grants to decline to utilize DOE labs because of a mistaken belief that these funds would be paid impermissibly to the federal government as opposed to contract operators. “Lawrence Livermore, Sandia and our other DOE national laboratories are world-class scientific research and development institutions with expertise relevant to addressing...

http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/11/04/apple-to-open-us-manufacturing-facility-in-mesa-arizona So Apple is opening it's new manufacturing plant in ....oh not California but a RIGHT TO WORK STATE.....Arizona. They are smart enough that they do not want to deal with Union infants. The moral of the story is DO NOT LISTEN TO people with a UNION MENTALITY (like we sometimes have here in on this Blog). Because this is what you get. NUMI was Toyota's only union plant and guess what... they closed it. So LEARN from this and when infantile union people try to plead their case just think of all those Apple jobs in a Right to Work state (not California) or think of, Steel Mills (closed) Detroit (Bankrupt) Hostess (closed) Boeing in S. Carolina NUMI (closed) I think I'll stop there. Or should we talk about the many Corporations opening their factories in Right to Work states.........

As a former employee, here are a few observations/comments: - NNSA needs to go. - Get rid of NIF, too expensive and it's going nowhere - DOE should restructure LLNL to be more like LBNL. Too expensive to maintain Sandia and LLNL. LLNL and LANL can't continue to do duplicate work. - Sandia should close all operations in Livermore. - LLNL can't compete with Bay Area's tech companies in terms of employee retention. How many software engineers leave LLNL every year? Yes, LLNL employees are highly qualified and competent, but not feasible to maintain current number of employees/salaries/cost of living in CA/pensions/etc...

Another interesting article that hits on the big questions people have been asking about the situation: http://techcrunch.com/2013/10/26/the-war-on-hackers This particular paragraph is interesting: "There is so much so wrong here that I scarcely know where to begin. Should we be more outraged by Battelle’s decision to license, rather than open-source, code developed with taxpayer money? By their breathtakingly broad patent application? By the idea that their belatedly-registered copyright should apply to similar code written independently in different languages? By the amazing contention that an open-source version of a network visualization tool would have “national security implications”? Or by the notion that those who call themselves “hackers” are advertising to the world their intent to break the law?"

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20131022/13260324972/govt-contractor-uses-copyright-fear-hackers-to-get-restraining-order-against-open-source-developer.shtml

"3+2" is in trouble with both the customers and Congress (House and Senate). There's been a now public proclamation by the USAF that they plan to retire the B-83. This will leave only the W87 as a LLNL system - So is this enough to justify keeping LLNL primarily as a nuclear weapons lab? http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/cost-concerns-could-prompt-new-look-warhead-modernization-plan/

Best wishes!

DOD doesn't need LLNL's B-83... House Democrat Eyes More Powerful Alternative to B-61 Nuclear Bomb Oct. 30, 2013 By Douglas P. Guarino Global Security Newswire WASHINGTON -- A key House Democrat on Tuesday pressed the Obama administration over whether it could use another, more powerful nuclear weapon to defend U.S. allies in Europe rather than making controversial and costly upgrades to the B-61 atomic warhead. The B-61 is a U.S. nuclear gravity bomb stationed in five NATO member nations in Europe. The National Nuclear Security Administration and its contractors are currently in the early phases of a life-extension program for variants of the aging weapon, which administration officials say is urgently needed to ensure they remain safe and reliable. Some Democrats question the administration's position, however. During a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) referenced prior remarks by retired Gen. James C...

So Parney got fired for being a people person and Bret Knapp took his as hatchet man. What's the word on layoff and how soon are we going to start shit-canning people. Christmas is coming soon or are we going to wait until after Thanksgiving?

Interesting..... Moscow Conducts Large-Scale Nuclear Attack Drill - Oct 30th ( Freebeacon ) Russian strategic forces carried out a large-scale surprise military drill on Wednesday, launching four nuclear missiles that were closely monitored by U.S. intelligence agencies, U.S. officials said. ...The strategic missile exercises highlight Moscow’s large-scale nuclear forces build up under Putin. Russia is developing several new missiles, including a weapon U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed as a covert intermediate-range nuclear missile called the RS-26 that is being developed and tested in apparent violation of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty. freebeacon.com/ moscow-conducts-large-scale-nuclear-attack-drill/

What happened to the old PAD? Principal Associate Director for NIF & Photon Science Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States Job Description Principal Associate Director for NIF & Photon Science, #11724 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has an opening for a Principal Associate Director (PAD) for the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) principal directorate. The PAD for NIF&PS is responsible for developing and maintaining the broad range of NIF&PS technical capabilities and infrastructure that supports the current and long-range missions of the Laboratory and for the successful execution of multiple programs for a diverse set of customers. This individual will develop and articulate the mission and strategic plan for the Principal Directorate and develop and maintain close partnerships and collaborations internationally and with government agencies including DOE/NNSA and DoD. The position requires a bro...

o this is a bit premature but Detroit is talking about lowering union pensions to 16% of original amounts http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/30/detroit-bankruptcy-proposal-would-leave-pensioners-with-16-cents-on-dollar/ I also see in Virgina a Democrat might win for Governor. I am guessing people there and here just do not get it. I believe Pres. Obama innately understands how stupid the voters are and feeds into that with his absurd promises that (never happen)and of course is covered by the media which helps control the stupid people. So my liberal and union friends, this spending will not last (no question about it). I would say to my progressive friends that if at the end of the day if the worst that happens is your pension is cut to 16% of the original value then you should count yourself lucky because I personally have no doubt(at all) that the ramifications of the debt of our country will be 100x worse than just having a pension cut. I'm just saying...........

This breaking story puts a whole new light on last year's press coverage about the cost overrun, performance failure, and schedule delay issues of the TA-55 perimeter security system. This time last year, Neile Miller reversed the local NNSA decision and awarded LANS a contract extension. She was reportedly inclined to do this, despite the safety and security lapses that had happened during the year, after the operator committed to fix the TA-55 perimeter security system. Now that it has come out that this issue has not yet been resolved by the committed deadline, this might impact contract extension decisions. http://www.abqjournal.com/291044/news/lanl-security-fixes-behind-schedule.html

LANL: 6,866 employees, 1,115 vehicles According to the IG report, the odds are pretty good for a job perk to be a government car. http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/10/f4/IG-0896.pdf

Defense Department Successfully Conducts Warhead Sled Test LLNL served as technical lead and integrator on an important test to assess a new conventional warhead designed by the Lab. Dave Hare, Livermore's program manager of the test, called it an "unequivocal success." www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=121006‎

With stories like this coming every few weeks, it becomes harder and harder to defend keeping NNSA under the Department of Energy. While it still may not be the ideal situation to move over to Defense, something drastic is required to alter the present course. http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24379351/first-auction-solar-rights-public-lands-colorado-draws-no-one?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com

Looks like the letter to employees from Pattiz got lost in the threads. Maybe someone would post it again.

ARE FLEX TERMS BEING ASKED TO LEAVE THE LAB?

"Should this BLOG do away with anonymous comments? (to reduce virulence)?" Question to moderator: Does this mean that you would require a "Blog Name" that would be attached to an email address so that you could ban blog offenders? In other words, your post would still be "anonymous" but you could be tracked and banned if you break the blog rules? I believe this needs to be explained before people can vote properly.

DIR-13-253 SUBJECT: ANNOUNCEMENT OF BRET KNAPP AS LLNL ACTING DIRECTOR Parney Albright announced he is stepping down as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Director at the end of the month in order to pursue broader interests in the national security arena. Board of Governors Chair Norm Pattiz announced today the appointment of Principal Associate Director for Weapons Programs Bret Knapp to the position of Acting Director of LLNL, effective November 1, 2013. The Los Alamos and Livermore Boards have advised Secretary Moniz and the Acting NNSA Administrator Held of Parney’s departure and have coordinated with them on the designation of Bret as Acting Director while the search for a permanent replacement is completed. A national search for a permanent Director will commence shortly under the leadership of University of California. It is in the nation’s interest to have two strong nuclear security science laboratories, and I have committed to the Boards my support to Bret a...

AAAS leadership is to be applauded for putting this workshop together, and one wonders why it took almost a year for the summary to be published. http://www.aaas.org/cstsp/files/Nuclear-Weapons-Workshop_AAAS_2012.pdf

A congressional hearing is scheduled to be held on the escalating B-61 budget next week. POGO has a summary of issues that relate to the hearing, including the suggestion that NATO countries be asked to defray the costs. http://www.pogo.org/blog/2013/10/congressional-panel-to-review-b61-nuclear-weapons-spiraling-costs.html

More good news. But Obama said we could keep our existing policy and doctors if we like them. Another lie brought to you by your socialist democratic party. http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2013/October/21/cancellation-notices-health-insurance.aspx

Morale is low at LLNL. Too many layers of management to tell you what to do that results in a 300% overhead (4.0 multiplier). Young and bright engineers and scientists are going to the Silicone Valley.

https://www.llnl.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/Oct/NR-13-10-03.html

LLNL Employees Need To Strike http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_24360490/strike-now-over-bart-trains-resume-limited-service

LANL rejoices! Brett Knapp sent to temporarily replace Parney who is stepping down Nov 1

First come the IG reports, then come the press coverage, then come the LANL House hearings. History repeats itself? http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/23/energy-department-spends-56-million-on-waste-facil/?page=all#pagebreak

It has been a bad few months for the nuclear forces. http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/23/us/air-force-nuclear-silo-doors-opened/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

Will the threat of a continued sequester yield rational changes to the U.S. nuclear weapons program? It won’t save much money in the short run, but it’s an opportunity to apply some logic to the Cold War thinking that hangs over these most destructive weapons. The fiscal 2014 continuing resolution, thanks to sequestration, cuts almost $1 billion from President Obama’s requested $7.9 billion for the weapons program of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the Energy Department outfit that runs the nation’s nuclear weapons complex. If the $6.9 billion projected by the Congressional Budget Office for the NNSA weapons program is maintained for fiscal 2014, it “could soon accomplish what arms control activists have repeatedly failed to do, curbing the rapid growth of the U.S. nuclear weapons budget,” according to an analysis in the Albuquerque Journal, the New Mexico newspaper that closely follows the nation’s nuclear weapons laboratories. http://www.washingtonpost.com...

Fact or Fiction: It looks like the next dose of sequestration will be going through on Jan 1st, so prepare for even more cut-backs and head count reductions at all the labs for FY2014 and probably every year thereafter. You might want to "spend you day" polishing up your resumes and search the job ads.

Tom D moves to Fluor Should be exciting to watch the impact of this move on contracts, both short and long term. http://article.wn.com/view/2013/10/17/Former_Head_of_NNSA_Thomas_D_Agostino_Joins_Fluor_s_Governme/#/related_news

DoE wins the Golden Hammer Award For contractor expenses that were not in accord with policy, including large food and beverage bills, the award was given to DoE. It is shocking that such abuses can go on, and more shocking that they are reported to be wide spread. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/17/energy-department-pays-out-millions-for-contractor/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

That's not the only lawsuit against Sandia. Here's a more recent one: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/01/11/electric-car-designers-suing-department-energy-over-loan-denials-disclosing/

This is old news, but it's still funny: "Sandia National Laboratories says it's worthless" http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2002/05/20/story3.html?page=all

How did you spend your non-programmatic work days leading up to the 1-day shut down?

Union of concerned scientists analysis of the NWC This long analysis just came out from several authors that worked in the current administration at one time. http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/nwgs/nuclear-weapons-complex-report.pdf

Sad news for the nation http://www.modbee.com/2013/10/15/2977143/senators-seek-budget-deal-house.html

With a $17T deficit you should expect your budget to be cut drastically since it's the logical thing to do to any none mission critical project, NIF being the biggest of them all. The nation cannot afford toys for the boys anymore. With that said I'm very disappointed the Republicans allowed the debt ceiling to be raised for any reason. All this is doing is postponing the inevitable. I guess the socialist democratic party will go down in history for being the party of the people who caused the greatest depression this world has ever seen. The good news is, they SDP “socialist democratic party” will get what they deserve. Global recognition.

Here is what looks like is going on with the budgets and programs, gathered from several reports. 1. Labs spent this week safely shutting down - did no program work. 2. Labs spent prior two weeks planning for the safe shut down - did no program work. 3. Labs will spend next week doing a safe re-start - will do no program work. 4. A budget is in place until January 15, 2014 - at the 2013 sequestration cut levels. 5. A new budget is scheduled to be in place by January 15, 2014 - but if it is not, then the next round of sequestration cuts (about twice as large for national security programs as the first round) take place. Overall, no program work for four weeks, a three month budget that is too small to support the existing workforce, and a very high chance that the next budget is even smaller. That about covers it, until February 2014, when the debt limit is hit once more and the next round of negotiations happen. Since it has already been done once, maybe next time we can skip step 2,...

Why is LANL closing? What happened to the $450 million in reserve that McMillan reportedly was crowing about recently? Appears to be that it suddenly went from ten weeks of available worker wages down to three. Where did the money go to?

Security manager sues LANL Lawsuit cites retaliation, discrimination after complaint October 15, 2013 By T.S. Last Journal Northern Bureau SANTA FE — A Los Alamos National Laboratory employee is suing the lab in federal court, alleging that he was subject to retaliation and discrimination after he complained to superiors about breaches in security protocols during VIP visits. Michael Irving, described in the lawsuit as a security program leader/manager for LANL’s director’s office, says he was removed from his security oversight role with regard to VIP visits and placed in a position two levels lower in authority than his previous job. According to the lawsuit, Irving became aware during the spring and summer of 2011 that security protocols at LANL were not being followed during VIP visits to the lab and made several complaints to his superiors about it. The suit alleges that he was labeled as a “malcontent” and “troublemaker” by his superior, who told him he would not be considered ...

US NUCLEAR FORCE FACES A CASCADE OF MISSTEPS BY ROBERT BURNS 
AP NATIONAL SECURITY WRITER WASHINGTON (AP) -- First it was bad attitudes among young officers in nuclear missile launch centers. Now it's alleged bad behavior by two of the nuclear arsenal's top commanders. Together the missteps spell trouble for a nuclear force doubted by some for its relevance, defended by others as vital to national security and now compelled to explain how the firing of key commanders this week should not shake public confidence. The Air Force on Friday fired Maj. Gen. Michael Carey, who was in charge of its nuclear missiles. Two days earlier the Navy sacked Vice Adm. Tim Giardina, the second-in-command at U.S. Strategic Command, which writes the military's nuclear war plans and would transmit launch orders should the nation ever go to nuclear war. In an Associated Press interview Friday, the nation's most senior nuclear commander, Air Force Gen. Robert Kehler, said he told his bosses,...

Assuming there is a shutdown tomorrow, I'd like to get some current lab employees' contact info so I can talk to them about how they're being affected. I figured this site was just as good a place as any to start. They can be anonymous if they choose, but it's best if they will allow us to freely use their names. Can you help me out with this? Jeremy Thomas Staff Reporter Bay Area News Group (925) 847-2184 Jethomas@bayareanewsgroup.com

There are some very creative people in the world. I suspect the lyrics of 1week, two, weeks, three weeks, month, 5,6,7, take the summer off may in fact come true with a $17T national debt and $126T unfunded liabilities over our heads. I’m actually surprised we haven’t had another 1929 already and I believe the only thing that preventing it is the treasury is pumping billion of fake money into the economy monthly is has all caught up with us. I don’t know how this US is going to make it thru this without cutting a lot of funds in many places. http://llnlthetruestory.blogspot.com/2013/10/doe-furlough-song.html

Please Wake up! There are today at LLNL islands of stability, projects and tasks which are populated by scientists, engineers and techs, that are satisfied and happy with the interesting work that they are doing, the good colleagues that they are working with, and the knowledge that they are contributing to the security of the nation. At the same time these islands are surrounded by an ever deepening sea of despair populated by scientists, engineers and techs who are being marginalized thru no fault of their own. For those of you who are still on the islands of productivity, look into the abyss and ask yourself, "why is LLNL become unsustainable?" You knoe the reasons so speak up, act up, for you too can become another statistic as LLNL slides deeper into the sea of despair.

Lawrence Livermore lab faces closure under shutdown San Francisco Chronicle October 11, 2013 Washington -- Two national laboratories in the Bay Area will close Oct. 21 if the partial government shutdown continues, resulting in the furloughs of more than 7,000 employees, members of Congress said Friday. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore is the largest, with 6,500 workers. Roughly 1,000 more work at the Livermore campus of the Sandia National Laboratories. Both sites test nuclear arms and maintain the nation's weapon stockpiles. They also conduct research in alternative energy. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, whose district includes Lawrence Livermore and Sandia, said the labs have been operating on funds from existing contracts that will run out in a week if the partial shutdown drags on. The two nuclear labs "were told Oct. 21 is the last day they can use what they received from their government contract service agreements," Swalwell said. A spokesm...

Another US nuclear commander sacked, making two in one week. The general in charge of the US Air Force's long-range nuclear missiles has been sacked due to "loss of trust and confidence", officials have said. The Air Force said Maj Gen Michael Carey's removal was for "behaviour during a temporary duty assignment". The sacking was not linked to the operation of the nuclear arsenal, which was safe, the officials insisted. On Wednesday the US Navy announced an admiral overseeing nuclear weapons forces had been sacked from the role. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24499310

Lujan votes against funding NNSA When times get tough, it is hard to know who to count as a friend. The list of votes tells the story, and it is not a pretty one for the northern NM economy. http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll542.xml

Ash Carter resigning at Defense. Carter knew nuclear issues far better than anyone else high up in the Pentgon. As a former chair of the NWC and a PhD physicist, his views were unusually well informed. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/ashton-carter-deputy-defense-secretary-to-step-down/2013/10/10/204ab64a-31e2-11e3-8686-68fca83a474f_story.html

The House on Friday could debate legislation to temporarily restore funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration as the federal government remains partially shut down amid partisan gridlock over a U.S. budget. House Republicans have prepared multiple bills to fund until Dec. 15 politically popular portions of the federal budget, including the National Nuclear Security Administration, national intelligence activities and border security. It was not clear on Thursday precisely if and when the GOP-controlled House could vote on these measures. However, the office of Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) said the vote on the NNSA measure could hit the House floor on Friday. Thornberry's Texas district includes the Pantex nuclear weapons plant, which receives NNSA funding. Pantex has been instructed by the Energy Department's nuclear-weapons branch to begin preparing for a temporary shutdown of plant operations, while maintaining security, the congressman said Thursday in a sta...

LLNL Update: Lapse in federal appropriations Message from the Director As of today, there is no resolution regarding the lapse in federal appropriations impacting the Laboratory. As directed by NNSA, we have made, and continue to refine, plans for a safe and orderly shutdown of all but essential operations. As I stated in my previous Newsline message, our guiding principle is to minimize the impact to our workforce while delivering on our national missions as long as possible. We now can share the path forward. During the week of Oct. 13, we will be expending three of our FY14 planned holidays in order to keep employees on paid status through the week. Those holidays are the spring holiday (previously scheduled for April 21); the President’s Day holiday (previously scheduled for Feb. 17); and the New Year’s Eve holiday (previously scheduled for Dec. 31, 2013)... On Tuesday, Oct. 15 and Wednesday, Oct. 16, employees will be working to place the Laboratory in a minimum safe and secu...

Looks like its time to send that to the IG and newspapers. Get-r-done. Channel 3 Reports http://www.kcra.com/tv/contact

Why is Livermore different? Not everyone has a lot of days of unused vacation just sitting around to burn during the impending stand down, and Parney once again demonstrates his concern for his employees by permitting vacation advances. LANL issued guidance (below) specifically forbids this. 'The memo also stipulated: • Employees with adequate vacation balances will be able to record vacation on timecards for the weeks starting Oct. 21 and Oct. 28 if they wish. Vacation advances or other paid leave (sick, jury duty, etc.) will not be allowed, with the exception of employees currently on long-term sick leave. McMillan concluded his memo by saying, “I understand the turmoil this creates for you, your families, and the region. I urge you make plans with a possible furlough in mind,” McMillan wrote.'

Update on Strategic Command deputy Reports that he has been demoted in rank and fired from his position. http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/3-star-navy-admiral-fired-as-deputy-chief-of-nuclear-command-demoted-to-2-star-rank/2013/10/09/fc8899f2-3123-11e3-ad00-ec4c6b31cbed_story.html?tid=auto_complete

Where's Charlie? Livermore had an all hands meeting on the budget so that the director could communicate to the staff. Sandia had one this week as well. Los Alamos is still working on rumors and waiting on an appearance by McMillan.

Sandia had an all hands meeting today where lab director Paul Holmert said SNL is shutting down Oct 21, and we will be paid until Oct 25. After Oct 25, nobody will receive pay and vacation can't be used when on furlough to continue getting paid. Benefits like medical are only paid up until early Nov, and will lapse if the shutdown drags on longer than that. In short, now is a good time to find another job in the private sector with better pay and similar or better job security.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZAVjDI2E7M

Back in the summer when LANL halted all plutonium work due to DNFSB crit. safety problems it was to be back in operation in six months. With the budget situation, has this timeline been extended?

NIF breakthrough! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24429621

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDdmtJCEWPA

Rumor around LLNL is that it will shut down next Friday if no agreement is reached, aside from essential security personnel. Staff will be allowed to use their vacation time to remain on full-time status. If they run out or don't have enough, they will front you up to 40 hours. After that, you go on LWOP and no one is really sure how that will impact your benefits ... yet. Parney is supposed to have an all-hands meeting Monday at 2 PM to address these issues. From what any of us have been able to tell though, even if you're on accounts that are fully funded (I have several that go through December) you will still not be allowed to work after next Friday.

Bureaucratic ineptitude entrenched at LANL By Albuquerque Journal Editorial Board | 11 hours ago Unlike thousands of federal employees, the top brass at Los Alamos National Laboratory are still going to work – and getting paid. What they are not doing – and have not been doing for years – is making any measurable progress on the efficiency front. In fact, runaway regulation, excessive bureaucratic red tape and incompetence are so clogging the work pipeline that the lab and the National Nuclear Security Administration that oversees it are virtually ineffective when it comes to getting some very large and very expensive projects off the dime. Newest example is the lack of progress on a new nuclear waste treatment plant. An analysis by the U.S. Inspector General’s office says the lab is a decade behind schedule and $129 million over budget in replacing the aging plant where radioactive liquid waste is treated – after spending $56 million on just design work. The report says breakdown...

How long will LLNL or LANL or Sandia be able to stay open using carryover funds?

The latest in a series of security problems at LLNL. This one from the Inspector General. The link to the full report is at the end. SUMMARY: The High Explosives Applications Facility (HEAF) is a state-of-the-art explosives research facility located on-site at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Livermore). The Office of Inspector General received a complaint alleging weaknesses with the controls over physical access to explosive material, as well as weaknesses with explosive inventory control and accountability in the HEAF explosive operations area. We substantiated the allegations regarding weaknesses with controls over access and inventory of explosive materials at the HEAF. We found that Secret and Top Secret cleared individuals at Livermore had the potential to access the HEAF explosive operations area even though they lacked specific authorization and/or had not received required safety training. Additionally, we found that Livermore's Safety Access Training did not...

Just heard NIF is sending back Procurement and ES&H..Anyone know if that is true?

In the last two years LANL has lost 1,200 employees and 580 million dollars in annual budget. Yet the per capita income of the county is still the highest in the US. Thanks, Charlie! http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d15f43d6-2a05-11e3-9bc6-00144feab7de.html#axzz2gez1FFcM

"Livermore Site Office (6 Excepted employees), Los Alamos Site Office (6 Excepted employees), Sandia Site Office (5 Excepted employees), Kansas City Site Office (3 Excepted employees), Nevada Site Office (7 Excepted employees), Savannah River Site Office (4 Excepted employees), NNSA Production Office (9 Excepted employees), Naval Reactors (158 Excepted employees)." http://energy.gov/articles/department-energy-implementation-activities-case-lapse-appropriations