“The Erosion of Independent Health and Safety – Oversight of the U.S. Nuclear Weapons Complex”
An Arms Control Association Virtual Briefing
November 12, 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. EST
REGISTER: https://www.armscontrol.org/events-and-remarks/2026-10/webinar-erosion-independent-health-and-safety-oversight-us-nuclear
The U.S. nuclear weapons production enterprise involves handling of nuclear and hazardous materials and waste that pose risks to plant workers, contractors, and the public. During the Cold War, the government shielded these activities from independent oversight in an effort to maximize weapons production. As a result, plant workers, nearby communities, and the surrounding environment suffered serious harm.
As the Cold War came to an end, pressure from concerned citizens and workers combined with dramatic revelations of unsafe and reckless operations throughout the Department of Energy’s (DOE) nuclear weapons complex prompted state regulators and Congress to impose reforms that have strengthened health and safety protections and independent oversight, including the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB), which was established in 1988.
Today, as the DOE and the National Nuclear Security Administration try to ramp up nuclear weapons production, they are reversing course. They have launched “Project Velocity,” the purpose of which appears to be to weaken safety regulations and oversight of nuclear weapons production-related facilities.
In addition, the DOE is denying information and access requests from the DNFSB, and the White House has failed to nominate the requisite number of board members, jeopardizing the safety board’s ability to carry out it duties.
To explore these issues, you are invited to take part in a special Arms Control Association virtual briefing featuring:
Joyce Connery owns and operates her own consulting firm, Connery Strategies, and is a distinguished fellow at the Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative of the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center. She retired in 2025 after over twenty-three years of U.S. Federal Government service including leadership at the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board which she chaired from 2021-2025.
Don Hancock is the Director of the Nuclear Waste Program and Administrator of Southwest Research and Information Center (SRIC), where he has worked since 1975. Don focused on nuclear waste issues with special attention on the New Mexico Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). He is also a leader in the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability network of more than thirty local, regional and national organizations formed by communities in the shadows of the U.S. nuclear weapons facilities and concerned about the consequences of the U.S. nuclear weapons and waste policies.
The webinar will be moderated by ACA executive director, Daryl G. Kimball, and ACA’s chief operating officer, Kathy Crandall Robinson, who has worked on nuclear weapons disarmament and weapons complex safety and health issues for several organizations including Physicians for Social Responsibility, Women’s Action for New Directions, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Alliance for Nuclear Accountability.