
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) is not convinced, despite statements from the deputy secretary of energy here in an open hearing Tuesday, that the Department of Energy intends to preserve the independent federal nuclear-watchdog’s unfettered access to U.S. nuclear-weapon sites.Energy Department officials testified before the four-member board about an order the agency published in May concerning the agency's interactions with the DNFSB. The document, which replaces an older order, sharply limits the board's access to DoE contractors and allows it…