Another nuclear-related test planned at Nevada Test site

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1998 | 2:06 a.m.

The so-called subcritical tests have drawn protests from anti-nuclear groups. The activists claim the tests are part of a nuclear testing program. They usually gather at the gates to the sprawling test site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

The experiment is designed to obtain physics information on plutonium samples of varying ages.

The DOE conducted two similar tests last year and another one in March, the first nuclear-related tests at the Nevada Test Site since a 1992 moratorium went into effect.

The DOE contends the tests are essential to the nation's program to maintain the safety and reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile in the absence of underground nuclear testing.

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