LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP) — A watchdog group is suing the federal government and managers of one of the nation's premier nuclear weapons laboratories over missed deadlines for cleaning up hazardous waste left behind by decades of research.
Nuclear Watch New Mexico filed its lawsuit in federal court, naming the U.S. Department of Energy and Los Alamos National Security LLC as defendants.
The lawsuit points to a dozen violations. It says the defendants are liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars in civil penalties for failing to comply with a 2005 cleanup agreement with state officials.
The Department of Energy did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment. The agency typically doesn't address pending litigation.
The state recently proposed changes to the cleanup plan. The public has through the end of May to comment