LLNL withdraws permit application with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has withdrawn its permit application with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to increase the amounts of explosives detonated in open-air experiments at the Lab’s Site 300 experimental test facility.

Since the Laboratory’s original application was submitted in 2006, research programs that would have required increased explosives limits have evolved, and there is no longer a near-term need to perform larger explosive experiments associated with those programs. The Laboratory could submit another permit application in the future if and when there is a need to undertake experiments using larger amounts of explosives.

The Laboratory had anticipated that three tests using up to 350 lbs. of explosives each would have been necessary as part of the research program.

LLNL will continue to perform open-air explosives detonation experiments within the limits of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s exemption from air permitting, which permits open detonation of explosives in amounts up to 100 lbs. per day and 1,000 lbs. per year.

Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has a mission to ensure national security and to apply science and technology to the important issues of our time. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is managed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.