Across New Mexico, resistance is growing against a major expansion of nuclear weapons production. Federal officials announced expanded operations at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) around March 26, 2026. The plan includes facility upgrades tied to national security goals. It’s backed by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), but critics aren’t staying quiet.
Resistance is growing across New Mexico as federal officials approve a major expansion of nuclear weapons production at Los Alamos.
A key concern is the ramp-up of plutonium pit production. Pits are the core components of nuclear weapons. Plans call for producing 30 pits per year at LANL, with a possible increase to 60. The NNSA also wants at least 50 pits per year produced at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Powdered plutonium would be shipped from Pantex in Texas to Los Alamos for processing.
Critics argue the expansion may violate NEPA, citing limited public input around recent NNSA plans. Advocacy groups argue that affected communities in northern New Mexico weren’t given a fair say. They say the decision could impact the region’s health, environment, and safety for decades.
Opposition has also come from Congress. On November 5, 2025, Rep. Gabe Vasquez led New Mexico’s delegation in writing to President Trump, the Department of Defense, DOE, and NNSA. The letter opposed nuclear testing, referencing New Mexico’s history like the Trinity test.
On the ground, residents are making their voices heard. Every Friday from noon to 1 p.m., peaceful protesters gather at East Alameda and Sandoval in Santa Fe. Groups like Veterans for Peace, Nuclear Watch New Mexico, and Pax Christi take part. They carry flags, signs, and banners in support of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Meanwhile, a pro-nuclear group called the New Mexico Nuclear Alliance reportedly emerged recently. It’s reportedly supported by industry interests. Critics say it’s pushing a pro-uranium agenda across the state, adding another layer to an already heated debate. The expanded operations plan also includes what may be advanced facilities like a new supercomputing complex and an X-ray-free electron laser facility to address growing national security demands.
References
- https://www.lasg.org/press/2026/SFNM_26Mar2026.html
- https://nuclearactive.org/two-actions-to-take-protest-the-new-mexico-nuclear-alliance-conference-and-tell-doe-nnsa-to-reopen-public-input-on-lanl-expansion/
- http://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-gabe-vasquez-leads-push-against-new-nuclear-testing-citing-new-mexicos
- https://nukewatch.org
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNkOzsFVNGQ
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandia_Base
- https://www.energy.gov/articles/new-mexicos-national-labs-will-play-essential-role-unleashing-american-energy
