ABSTRACT
The Department of Energy maintains several weapons facilities, including the seven plants to produce material for nuclear weapons. A significant part of the US weapons complex, less known to the outside world than military bases, is responsible for the testing and production of nuclear weapons. From the beginning of the atomic age in 1945, nuclear weapons have been considered apart from the regular military budget. Because of the enormous destructive power of nuclear weapons, the Congress in 1945 established the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy with jurisdiction over all activities concerned with these weapons. The culture of secrecy concerning all aspects of nuclear weapons testing and production may account in part for the disaster that engulfs the nuclear weapons industry. Surplus property at military bases may be transferred or sold to other departments of the US Government or state and local governments provided they pay fair market value for such property or facilities.
