DOE Nominee Moniz Offers Strong Support for Nuke Weapons Mission

Ernest Moniz, President Obama’s nominee to lead the Department of Energy, served up a strong statement in defense of the nation’s nuclear weapons complex at his confirmation hearing in Washington this morning.

“DOE expertise, to a large extent drawing on the knowledge skills and commitment of our national laboratory scientists and a technically versed intelligence group, is critical to our national defense,” Moniz told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “If confirmed I intend to make sure these DOE assets continue to sustain the nation’s nuclear security.”

Moniz’s remarks, delivered during his opening statement, might provide some reassurance to those who are concerned about deep cuts in nuclear weapons spending during Obama’s second term. A grim federal budget situation, coupled with Obama’s stated goals of reducing the nation’s nuclear stockpile, have some advocates of Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico’s worried.

The Alliance for Nuclear Accountability, a consortium of groups critical of U.S. nuclear policy, are gathering in Washington this week to protest what they call out-of-control and misplaced spending on nuclear weapons at the expense of nuclear cleanup.

“The Alliance for Nuclear Accountability is concerned that out-of-control spending on nuclear weapons will divert resources from legally required environmental cleanup, dismantlement, and critical nonproliferation efforts,” the groups said in a statement this week.

Moniz reminded the committee that led he a review of the science-based stockpile stewardship program at DOE in the late 1990s, when former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was secretary. Moniz also helped negotiate for heightened security of Russian nuclear weapons materials. Moniz said stockpile stewardship will remain a critical part of DOE’s mission.

“As long as we have nuclear weapons, strengthened efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and measures to prevent nuclear terrorism, DOE has significant responsibilities spanning much of this agenda,” Moniz said. “The department is entrusted with the responsibility to maintain a safe and reliable nuclear weapons stockpile in the absence of testing.”

Moniz had a familiar – at least to New Mexicans – advocate in his corner at this morning’s hearing. Former Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a Democrat and former chairman of the Senate energy committee, formally introduced him to the committee.

Bingman offered a glowing review of Moniz’s qualifications, lauding his scientific expertise, management capabilities and “unquestionable” ability to oversee the nation’s nuclear weapons complex.