The University of California-managed Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has been commissioned to create a new nuclear warhead, but critics are questioning the UC’s involvement in the development of nuclear weapons.
Last Friday, the National Nuclear Security Administration chose Livermore’s design for a new weapon after a yearlong competition to develop a better design for a nuclear warhead.
Livermore, along with the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, has been managed by the UC since its inception in 1952.
Many in the UC say it is an honor to manage the lab that is responsible for national security.
“The UC is pleased to be a part of the work in the laboratory. The lab has been charged with a job to ensure national security in terms of nuclear research, and that is something that is very vital to our nation’s homeland security,” said UC spokesman Chris Harrington.
But the labs have historically been ridden with nuclear-weapons protesters since opponents believe that as an educational institution, the UC should not be involved in nuclear research.
“The UC should not only get out of developing weapons, it should do some real research in demobilizing the nuclear stockpile,” said Carolyn Scarr, a member of the board of directors for Ecumenical Peace Institute-Clergy and Laity Concerned.
In August of 2003, 1,000 protesters swarmed Los Alamos on the anniversary of Hiroshima to demonstrate against nuclear research.
Critics believe nuclear-weapons development should be reduced in the wake of current nuclear tensions with countries such as North Korea and Iran.
“Nuclear weapons are a strong symbolism of what’s wrong with our country. It’s domination and control based on the threat of annihilation,” said Tara Dorabji, the outreach director of TriValley Communities Against a Radioactive Environment.
TriValley, a Livermore watchdog group, has sponsored protests against the lab in the past.
Harrington said there have been protesters at UC Board of Regents meetings, and that their voices have been heard, but that the national security of the nation is something that has been entrusted to the lab.
“The UC has managed the labs for many years, and while there are critics, there is also a lot of support. They are doing great work in reducing the current stockpile,” Harrington said.
But Lynda Seaver, a spokeswoman for Livermore, said the new warhead is not an example of nuclear proliferation but is simply a way to continue the government’s commitment to reducing the stockpile.
According to the NNSA, the warhead will be less expensive and safer since there will be no underground testing and no danger of accidental detonation. The NNSA also maintains the new research will enable more proficient weapons production and allow more resources to be devoted to dismantling warheads.
Livermore has been under scrutiny in recent years due to tension over homeland security and nuclear weapons in world affairs.
But Harrington reiterated the UC’s support for the lab.
“The lab is doing great things in terms of nuclear research for our country’s security. Not only that, they are making groundbreaking progress in cancer research and research in energy efficiency. We are proud to be a part of it,” Harrington said.