Energy Secretary Chris Wright, President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum (Reuters)
One effort will expand the use of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) "OSHA-Plus" framework for subcontracted construction projects at the National Laboratories, increasing competition for contracts and reducing costs while not sacrificing safety.
Another topline piece of the four-part order seeks to analyze risks and benefits to cutting some labor-agreement provisions from contracts. The order was dated the 21st but will be made public midday Friday.
"These measures are representative of focused and purposeful actions to prudently streamline our processes, place decision-making authority at the appropriate level, and reduce unnecessary administrative burden on both the laboratories and federal stewards to more efficiently and effectively enable critical mission objectives," Wright said in the order.
Wright said that while many of the labs may not be known by name, Americans recognize their immense contributions to science and national security.
Los Alamos, in New Mexico, was where J. Robert Oppenheimer developed and tested the atomic bomb. Oak Ridge in Tennessee is the nation’s premier energy technology development incubator.
"They are the biggest factories for producing Nobel prizes on the planet. These are national gems, and they came out of World War II," he said, adding that bureaucracy has stifled some of their luster.
"If something went wrong, they have a new rule passed; there’s people’s pet issues; or they’re layered with DEI and cultural stuff; crazy safety regulations with impossible permitting.
CHRIS WRIGHT CONFIRMED SECRETARY OF ENERGY
The Y-12 complex near Knoxville (Reuters)
Separate from the labs, but near the Oak Ridge installation, Wright also spoke of a building he visited at the Y-12 National Security complex so decrepit that part of its roof was falling in.
The facility, outside Knoxville, was built around 1943 in under 18 months, Wright said – comparing that efficiency to today’s as an aside.
"It is in that building that the majority of the enriched uranium you need to build a bomb, was produced in these Calutron machines. So this played a huge legacy role in the United States’ weapons program. Here we are 80 years later, it is still in operation and still a key part of our nuclear fabrication facilities," he said.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/energy-chief-slashes-red-tape-led-60-cost-inflation-burdened-work-critical-labs