Energy management-overhauling weapons production

The reduction and reconfiguration of the US Department of Energy´s (DOE) nuclear weapons production complex in the face of major safety problems and the end of the cold war are examined. The safety problems have essentially transformed the department from a weapons producer to an environmental agency with a clean-up budget of US $4 billion this year. The problems, which concern the four defense production reactors, are discussed, and some reactor incidents are described. The steps being taken to deal with the situation are described, and possible effects on DOE management are considered