NY Times on Los Alamos National Laboratory drum explosion at WIPP

NY Times on Los Alamos National Laboratory drum explosion at WIPP

“I don’t know how you can look at the facts themselves or any of the subsequent investigations and not have serious questions about the effectiveness of management and oversight at Los Alamos National Laboratory and WIPP,” said Ryan C. Flynn, the secretary of the Environment Department in New Mexico.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/30/us/in-us-cleanup-efforts-accident-at-nuclear-site-points-to-cost-of-lapses.html?_r=0

All hands: Where is George?

First- A publicity video for the lab was running in a loop at the beginning - it was really awkward - says our "mission is discovery". More like, our mission is "practical solutions for National Security" - we are a weapons lab not a science lab. It shows a bicycle ride around the lab on "mission discovery" - whoever authorized that video is so out of touch it is truly embarrassing.
Next, All Hands Presentation - Unbelievably he presented almost the same highlights as at the last All Hands meeting - High Foot, 191 NIF shots, additive manufacturing, bio assay, wind power. Several slides on safety. They really need to consider going back to the slideshow featuring closer to 100 highlights at the end of All Hands presentations. I can't believe I'm nostalgic for George's All Hands meetings - but he and Parney were much more inclusive and got a lot closer to covering the whole lab instead of the same few select favorites each time. Apparently there was a great question from an audience member at the end, but I stopped watching - maybe someone else can fill us in.

Peter Kuran

Interview with Peter Kuran who, among other things, is currently working with Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos National Laboratories to preserve and catalog images from the bomb-testing era, and to produce a technical handbook that will help people understand these images and the techniques used to create them
Best,
Janice

Peter Kuran: Bringing Hollywood to History:http://thebulletin.org/peter-kuran-bringing-hollywood-history7752

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Janice Sinclaire

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IT IS 5 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT

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DOE "Whistleblower" Bias?

DOE "Whistleblower" Bias? 

Does the DOE whistleblower "worker protection" program have a history of bias in support of the contractor? 

"SENIOR DOE OFFICIAL WANTS PROBE INTO FIRING OF LOS ALAMOS DISSIDENT


http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/16/senior-doe-official-wants-probe-into-firing-of-los-alamos-dissident.html

Incapaciating chemical agent loophole

We've just posted an excellent piece by Malcolm Dando and Michael Crawley that explores the development of incapacitating chemical agents (ICAs) by a number of countries. It's a terrific read, and it points out that in addition to military applications, proponents of ICAs consider law enforcement an ideal area for use.

Best regards,

Janice

The incapacitating chemcial agent loophole: http://thebulletin.org/incapacitating-chemical-agents-loophole7750

-- 

Janice Sinclaire

Internet Outreach Coordinator

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

1155 East 60th Street

Chicago, IL  60637

U.S.A.

T.  707.481.9372

F.  773.980.6932

E.  jsinclaire@thebulletin.org

Parney named president and CEO of HRL, Laboratories LLC

Albright named president and CEO of HRL, Laboratories LLC

LLNL Newsline- 10/20/2014

Parney Albright, former director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, has been named the president and chief executive officer of HRL Laboratories, LLC [Hughes Research Laboratories].

He takes over the job formerly occupied by William Jeffrey on Nov. 3. 

HRL is a commercial research and development center focused on advanced microelectronics, information and systems sciences, materials, sensors and photonics, among other disciplines. It specializes in integrated circuits, antennas, networking, smart materials and lasers. Formerly a research arm of Hughes Aircraft, HRL produced the first working model of a laser in 1960, by Theodore Maiman. 

"This is one of the premier scientific institutions in the country, a storied lab with a long history of innovation," Albright said. "It is quite an honor, and I look forward to being a part of such a talented team." 

Albright, who will retire from Lawrence Livermore effective Oct. 31, said, "It has been an honor to be a part of this Laboratory. I will miss the people and their dedication to the mission, and I look forward to possible future collaborations." 

"Parney has been an important part of this Laboratory, as a director, senior manager and adviser," said Lab Director Bill Goldstein. "With his background in national security work and his management skills, he will make an excellent leader for HRL. We congratulate him in this new position." 

Albright came to the Lab in November 2009 as the principal associate director of Global Security, which supports the Lab's biosecurity, counterterrorism, defense, energy, intelligence and nonproliferation missions. He served as Lab director from 2011-13, steering the institution through budget cuts brought on by the recession, sequestration and government shutdown. Last January he took an assignment with the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. 

Albright has more than 25 years' experience in the federal government and the private sector. Prior to joining the Laboratory he worked with Civitas Group, a homeland security consultant in Washington, D.C. He has served as assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), assistant director in the Office of Science and Technology Policy and senior director in the Office of Homeland Security in the White House; and program manager with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

LLNS Retention Data Breakdown

Does anyone have the current TCP1 and TCP2 employee retention data considering population, classification, and age?