OAK RIDGE (WATE) - The secretary of the United States Department of Energy called last week's security breach by three protesters at the Y-12 National Security Complex "unacceptable and deeply troubling" Friday.
Secretary Steven Chu said in a statement those held accountable for the breach have been dealt with, and further steps are being taken so that a situation such as this will never happen again.
"This incident was not consistent with the level of professionalism and expertise we expect from our guard force and all of those federal employees and contractors responsible for security across the DOE complex," Chu said.
Since the incident, all nuclear related activities have ceased. In addition to the halt of activity, Chu said the security guards on duty that night have been suspended, and the general manager of the security force and two of his team leaders have been removed from their positions.
Also, General Rodney Johnson, Deputy manager of NNSA's Pantex site and a former head of security to Y-12 to help strengthen security at the site. The department's chief of Health, Safety and Security Glenn Podonsky has sent a team to Y-12 to support NNSA's efforts and will conduct a separate independent investigation
He added all Y-12 employees will participate in additional security training.
"I am committed to ensuring that we learn the appropriate lessons from this incident and apply those lessons across our complex," Chu said.
