Senator questions Test Site security

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Friday, Feb. 18, 2005 | 9:51 a.m.

SUN WASHINGTON BUREAU

A Massachusetts lawmaker is demanding answers from new Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman about security at the Nevada Test Site.

Democratic Rep. Edward Markey fired a letter to Bodman on Thursday outlining several security lapses and asking Bodman whether the private security firm Wackenhut should be allowed to continue to provide security.

"Wackenhut's performance is consistently well below par, and its continued presence at DOE nuclear weapons facilities raises serious questions about the Department's ability to secure its nuclear weapons and weapons-usable materials," Markey wrote.

The 1,375-square mile Test Site, the nation's former nuclear weapons proving ground, continues to play a role in testing of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. In past years it has been used for "subcritical" tests -- experiments that test weapon components without a full nuclear explosion.