Working with DOE to Address Challenges with Aging Safety Infrastructure
Y-12 National Security Complex, Multiple Sites
DOE’s defense nuclear complex developed over an 80-year period following the Manhattan Project. Many of the key defense nuclear facilities that support the nation’s nuclear deterrent are more than 40 years old.
Extending Life of Facilities at Y-12 National Security Complex
Our Work
As defense nuclear facilities age, safety structures, systems, and components may degrade and not be able to reliably perform their safety functions. For the past two decades, DNFSB has provided advice to DOE on the aging Y-12 National Security Complex where they produce key components for nuclear weapons and which has infrastructure dating back to the Manhattan Project.
Our Safety Impact
In recent years, these acute aging infrastructure concerns at Y-12 prompted several actions to ensure that weapon components can continue to be safely produced. These actions include facility upgrades, enhanced system monitoring, and reductions in excess nuclear materials.
Benchmarking Best Practices in Government
Our Work
DNFSB held a public hearing on April 14, 2024, regarding aging infrastructure management with a discussion of common issues and best practices with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Government Accountability Office, Army Corps of Engineers, and the American Nuclear Society.
Our Safety Impact
The lessons learned from this effort are being used to spearhead a series of workshops with DOE to implement best practices within their organization.
Last Updated: March 23, 2026