Washington, D.C.: Government to move nuclear material

The Energy Department confirmed Friday it plans to move several tons of plutonium and weapons-grade uranium to the Nevada Test Site from a federal laboratory in New Mexico where critics said it was at risk from terrorist attacks.

The move had been anticipated for some time. Last month, an Energy Department memo, obtained and released by a private watchdog organization, indicated the move was only awaiting final review of an environmental impact report.

That report now has been approved by Everet H. Beckner, deputy administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, department officials said.

NNSA spokesman Bryan Wilkes said the material was being moved because buildings at Los Alamos were aging and the Nevada Test Site had newer facilities and the best security.