Pantex: on schedule dismantling nukes, but infrastructure problems remain

In the drumbeat of bad news about National Nuclear Security Administration management problems, nuclear weapons dismantlement work at Pantex is going well, according to a report out this morning from the Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General:

The National Nuclear Security Administration met or exceeded its nuclear weapons dismantlement and nuclear weapon components disposition program goals for FYs 2010 and 2011.

But you knew there had to be a “but”, right?

[W]e noted potential issues related to the infrastructure for staging nuclear weapons, nuclear weapon components, and other weapon components at the Pantex Plant that could impact future dismantlement efforts and other Directed Stockpile Work programs. According to Pantex officials, as the infrastructure for staging nuclear materials at Pantex continues to age without needed improvements, Pantex may not be able to provide the level of protection required for safe and secure staging operations of nuclear materials.

The full report is here.