ROBERT E. MILLER, MANAGER NEVADA OPERATIONS OFFICE/AEC AT THE INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT CONVENTION CENTER, STARDUST HOTEL

THE NEVADA OPERATIONS OFFICE, AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, IS ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL FIELD OFFICES OF THE ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION. IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UNDERGROUND TEST PROGRAM IMPLEMENTING THE LIMITED TEST BAN SAFEGUARD WHICH PROVIDES FOR - - AND I QUOTE \"THE CONDUCT OP A COMPREHENSIVE, AGGRESSIVE, AND CONTINUING UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR TEST PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ADD TO OUR KNOWLEDGE AND IMPROVE OUR WEAPONS IN ALL AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE.\" NVOO ALSO PROVIDES SUPPORT TO THE JOINT AEC-DOD TASK FORCE MAINTAINING READINESS IN THE PACIFIC. THIS ALSO IS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF A TREATY SAFEGUARD WHICH REQUIRES (QUOTE): \"THE MAINTENANCE OF THE FACILITIES AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO INSTITUTE PROMPTLY NUCLEAR TESTS IN THE ATMOSPHERE SHOULD THEY BE DEEMED ESSENTIAL TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY OR SHOULD THE TREATY OR ANY OF ITS TERMS BE ABROGATED BY THE SOVIET UNION.\" OBVIOUSLY SINCE THESE ARE IMPLEMENTATION OF TREATY SAFEGUARDS ESTABLISHED BY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND THE SENATE, THESE PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE. ON THE OTHER HAND, REDUCED FEDERAL EXPENDITURES ARE PART OF PRESIDENT NIXON'S FIGHT AGAINST INFLATIONARY PRESSURES. THE AEC, LIKE OTHER AGENCIES, WILL HAVE LESS FUNDS DURING THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. HOW WILL THIS AFFECT NVOO? WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD IN OUR PROGRAM AREAS?