On June 1, the US Department of Energy sent to Congress an "interim certification for the revised cost and schedule baseline" for the National Ignition Facility (NIF), including "a preliminary estimate of the total project cost and funding profile." The plan is based on having "the full National Ignition Facility capability consisting of 192 beams" completed in fiscal year 2008, with some beams operational in 2004.

In its report, the DOE acknowledges that "the most expedicious schedule to complete the National Ignition Facility has shown that it could be completed as early as the end of fiscal year 2006," and that the slower schedule mandated by DOE would result in a higher total cost. The Livermore laboratory had completed a detailed cost estimate for the faster schedule of $1.95 billion, compared to the original estimate of $1.2 billion. DOE's construction cost estimate for the slower schedule is $2.25 billion. DOE chose the slower, higher cost plan in order to cap the annual costs over the next several years. Energy Secretary Richardson reportedly wanted to limit expenditures to increments of no more than $100 million per year, but reluctantly agreed to provide $150 million per year when told that the project could not be properly managed at the lower figure. DOE indicated they planned to provide an additonal $95 million in FY 2001; "no more than $150 million in FY 2002 and 2003; $140 million in FY 2004; $130 million in FY 2005; and a declining profile thereafter." DOE's insistence on a cost-profile-based schedule (FPN00-24) resulted in the need for another new rebaselining of the project. DOE promises to provide a firm estimate by mid September.

DOE also estimated that "Other related (non-construction) costs" associaed with NIF would rise from $0.8 billion to $1.4 billion.

Despite the cost increases, Secretary Richardson asserted that a detailed review by several groups, including the Directors of the three DOE weapons laboratories, has concluded that "The National Igniton Facility remains a cornerstone of the Stockpile Stewardship Program." He said that "the project is technically sound and based on good engineering design."

The report can be viewed at http://www.dp.doe.gov/dp_web/news_f.htm