POGO Asks Secretary Hagel to Stop Funding B61 Nuclear Bomb Program in Europe

The cost of maintaining the B61 nuclear bomb program in Europe has increased yet again while questions regarding security and military efficacy remain unanswered.

Y-12 Security: Time to Give Federalized Guard Force a Shot?

A recent accidental firearm discharge at the Y-12 nuclear facility has injured two security officers, and raises questions about just how much has been done to improve safety and security at the site since the break-in one year ago.

Nuclear Site Unable to Protect Bomb Material in Recent Tests

POGO has learned that the Savannah River Site in South Carolina failed its recent security test.

Sen. Boxer Calls for EPA Action on Chemical Regulations

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held an oversight hearing last week on preventing and addressing chemical threats, focusing on the recent ammonium nitrate fertilizer plant explosion that killed 14 and injured hundreds more in West, Texas.

Dangerous Chemical in Texas Explosion Poorly Regulated

Ammonium nitrate fertilizer, the suspected culprit behind the April factory explosion in West, TX, has a deadly history well known to government agencies. Despite that, the Environmental Protection Agency has yet to add it to the list of Extremely Hazardous Materials.

DOE Contracting Mismanagement Cost Taxpayers Over $450,000

The Department of Energy has mishandled yet another nuclear lab contractor, paying hundreds of thousands of dollars without requesting or recording a single deliverable.

Lost? The Guards at Y-12 Can Help

Yet another security breach at the Y-12 nuclear complex highlights the need for meaningful security changes.

Y-12 Protestors Exposed Security Failures, Found Guilty

Three protestors responsible for breaking into the Y-12 nuclear facility face up to 30 years in prison despite shining a spotlight on several security failures.

POGO Asks Defense Secretary to Cut B61 Bomb Program Funding

The cost of maintaining the B61 nuclear bomb program in Europe has increased yet again while questions regarding security and military efficacy remain unanswered.

FOIA Failings Continue

POGO continues to struggle with FOIA requests for three letters sent to Energy Secretary Chu on the status of nuclear security across the weapons complex

MOX Costs Spiral Further Out of Control

The much beleaguered Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MOX) has increased in cost to $7.7 billion dollars, making this unnecessary facility 381 percent over it's original budget.

Energy IG Pushes to Consolidate Nuclear Labs, Again

Department of Energy Inspector General once again recommends establishing a commission to assess and consolidate nuclear labs around the country.

Exploring the Lived Experiences of Inspectors General

Matthew Harris, University of Maryland University College, explores the experiences, challenges, and recommendations of 18 Inspectors General in his doctorate dissertation.

Commerce Inspector General Faces Allegations of Misconduct

After several disturbing allegations of serious misconduct, Ranking Members of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology and three of its subcommittees sent a letter to the GAO requesting an investigation into the Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General.

House Report Highlights Need for Inspector General Nominations

The watchdog office overseeing the department that manages the nation’s public lands and natural resources has been rendered toothless for over 1,400 days.

GAO Report Reveals $2 Billion Cost Jump for MOX

A recent GAO report has revealed that the projected cost of the Mixed Oxide Fuel (MOX) nuclear facility has increased by $2 billion, another in a long line of NNSA projects that are behind schedule and vastly over budget.

FOIA Foiled Again

POGO filed a FOIA request for three letters written to Secretary Chu by security experts with recomendations for strengthening nuclear weapons security, but a thorough search of Secretary Chu's correspondance produced no responsive documents, even though POGO obtained copies of the letters weeks ago.

Former Target Manager Now Acting Chief of Defense Nuclear Security

Retired Air Force Colonel Steve Asher has been named acting Associate Administrator for Defense Nuclear Security/Chief of Defense Nuclear Security at the NNSA.

Experts: Now is the Time for Nuclear Security Changes

Three experts—Norman Augustine, C, Donald Alston, and Richard Meserve—reviewed the physical security of the nation's nuclear weapons facilities and made their recommendations to Secretary Chu in recently obtained letters.

Energy IG Finds Security Contractor Cheated

The Department of Energy Inspector General released a report revealing the security contractor for Y-12 National Security Complex cheated on a security performance test.

Washington Post Series on U.S. Nuclear Arsenal Requires Closer Look

POGO provides needed context and clarification to the Washington Post's series on the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

Cheating on Security Tests at Y-12 is Nothing New

The DOE's Independent Oversight Program recently tested security at the Y-12 nuclear weapons facility, but a federal inspector found evidence of cheating--something the security contractor has a history of.

Guard Scapegoated in the Y-12 Security Debacle

After an 82-year-old nun and her companions broke into the Y-12 National Security Complex, who was held accountable for the security breach of the nuclear weapons facility?

Gingrich Advisor's Ties to Foreign Interests

An investigation by POGO has found that one of Newt Gingrich's advisers, Robert McFarlane, covertly lobbied for interests in southern Sudan and reportedly on behalf of the Sudanese government—without properly disclosing his activities to the U.S. government.