LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Latest on a tour by Nevada’s U.S. senators and Energy Secretary Rick Perry of a site where the federal government handles weapons-grade plutonium shipped from South Carolina (all times local):
9 p.m.
Nevada’s U.S. senators and Energy Secretary Rick Perry toured a federal facility north of Las Vegas where the government is handling weapons-grade plutonium shipped from South Carolina.
Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen said in a joint statement Friday that they saw the plutonium and discussed safety and security during the tour with Perry. The senators said they reiterated that they want the plutonium removed from the state.
Officials said the classified meetings and trip were closed to the media and public.
Cortez Masto announced last week that Perry pledged the federal government would remove the highly radioactive material by the end of 2026.
Cortez Masto says Perry also promised no more plutonium from the Savannah River Site would be moved to Nevada.
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9:40 a.m.
Nevada’s U.S. senators and Energy Secretary Rick Perry are set to tour a site north of Las Vegas where the federal government is handling weapons-grade plutonium shipped from South Carolina.
Aides say the Friday visit to the Device Assembly Facility at the Nevada National Security Site and briefings with Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen will be closed to the media and public.
National Nuclear Security Administration chief Lisa Gordon-Hagerty also is expected to make the trip.
Cortez Masto announced the visit last week when she said Perry pledged the federal government would begin removing the highly radioactive material in 2021 from the former national nuclear proving ground 100 miles (161 kilometers) north of Las Vegas.
Cortez Masto says Perry also promised no more plutonium from the Savannah River Site would be moved to Nevada.
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