Feds and New Mexicans argue over the LANL Weapons Plan
At a town hall meeting held at Buffalo Thunder Resort last night, federal officials engaged in an extensive discussion with residents regarding a controversial plan to expand nuclear weapons production at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has proposed a significant increase in nuclear weapons manufacturing, aiming to produce 80 new weapons annually starting in 2028. This plan includes producing 30 plutonium pits per year—the critical cores of nuclear warheads—at the Los Alamos facility.
Greg Mello, executive director of the Los Alamos Study Group, voiced strong opposition to the initiative during the meeting. Mello condemned the project, labeling it as an industrial operation in an inappropriate location. “They’ve always made a few pits, but this is an industrial project,” Mello said. “Some people privately acknowledge that this could lead to an accident at Los Alamos. We can only hope that if it happens, it results in minimal harm.”
As part of the expansion plan, a new 14-mile power line is proposed to be constructed from Caja del Rio across White Rock Canyon to the laboratory. NNSA chief Jill Hruby has been meeting with tribal leaders to address concerns and minimize disruptions caused by the project.
Jim James, counsel for Pueblo Tesuque, criticized the environmental assessment for being insufficient. “You mentioned trying to find the best path and being comprehensive about sacred sites,” James told Hruby. “However, the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) falls short. It doesn’t adequately address wildlife corridors or the ecological knowledge of the indigenous people.”
The proposed power upgrade has prompted over 23,000 public comments. District 2 Santa Fe County Commissioner Anna Hansen added another dimension to the discussion, urging officials to enhance infrastructure and support housing development not only in Los Alamos County but also in surrounding areas.
