Peace activists, nuke supporters plead their case at Y-12 hearings

The debate over nuclear weapons in the 21st century continued at a hearing set up to receive comments on the draft Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement for the Y-12 Enrichment Plant in Oak Ridge, TN. At a forum held near the entrance to the Y-12 plant, several speakers passionately argued against the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) plan to construct a 350,000 square foot facility with the capability to produce 50 to 80 "secondaries" a year. Y-12 specializes in the second stage of thermonucleaer weapons, which are manufactured with highly enriched uranium, lithium compounds and other materials. The next night, the hearings were dominated by supporters of the NNSA's proposal, many of whom were current or former workers at the Y-12 plant. The federal government has extended the public comment period on the document until Jan. 29 and then will consider revisions before issuing a Record of Decision. and here