Managers, Guards Disciplined for Y12 Security Breach

So far, at least six people have been disciplined after reports that anti-nuclear weapons protestors breached security outside a uranium storage facility at the Y-12 site.

On July 28, three activists, including an 82-year-old nun, were accused of entering a secure area and defacing the side of the Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility at the weapons complex near Oak Ridge, Tenn. G4S subsidiary WSI Oak Ridge holds the contract for security at the facility, which is run by the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

Quoting a company release, Oak Ridge Today reported Monday that WSI Oak Ridge general manager Lee Brooks has been replaced by Steve Hafner, who was previously an executive at Hanford. The director of the Y12 Protective Force, Gary Brandon, was replaced by John Garrity, who previously headed Y12 training and emergency management. The displaced managers' new assignments were not announced.

Additionally, three security officers were placed on restricted-duty status.

A statement from the Department of Energy Friday indicated a third manager was also reassigned, in addition to an unnamed federal official. It noted nuclear operations at the facility are on hiatus as employees undergo further security training. Energy Secretary Steven Chu was quoted in the release as saying, "The department has no tolerance for security breaches at any of our sites, and I am committed to ensuring that those responsible will be held accountable."