[TropicanaRose]

Wait, the DOE is in charge of our nuclear weapons? I would think it would be DOD.

[af_vet_rr]

Wait, the DOE is in charge of our nuclear weapons? I would think it would be DOD.

The DOE designs, tests, and manufacturers all of our nuclear weapons. Technically our nuclear weapons are owned by the DOE.

[Reily]

well they share
the national labs, the weapons labs Los Alamos, Sandia, etc. have a huge say.

[Reily]

DOD basically has hostile release authority...deciding if, when & where they should go boom.

[af_vet_rr]

I forgot to add, the DOE is responsible for disposing of our nuclear weapons as well.

Pantex, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Sandia are DOE facilities. It's easy to make mistakes for people who aren't familiar with nuclear weapons to think the DOD is 100% responsible for our nuclear weapons.

That's one thing that was confusing about Perry's statements in the past about the DOE, but Perry flew C-130s and was definitely not familiar with our nuclear arsenal or the DOE's responsibilities in regards to it.

[okie01]

Wait, the DOE is in charge of our nuclear weapons?

Yep. Bill Clinton's decision.

Made it much easier for China to acquire the technology.

Recall that Clinton's first Sec'y of Energy, Hazel O'Leary, was offended by the color-coded security badges at Los Alamos. Said they were discriminatory. As a consequence, everybody was issued the same badge.