Pursuit's Take
The Department of Energy’s (Department) Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) has processed highly enriched uranium (HEU), a special nuclear material (SNM), for more than 60 years. Y-12 is required to maintain inventories of nuclear material in Categories I – IV based on the material’s attractiveness level and weight with Category I material as the highest rating. Further, Department Order 474.2A, Nuclear Material Control and Accountability, requires nuclear material programs to detect, assess and deter unauthorized access to any category of nuclear material.
OIG was informed that, HEU samples were discovered in the pocket of coveralls located on a laundry truck that annunciated an alarm as the truck tried to exit Y-12’s Protected Area. OIG substantiated the allegations.
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