Nevada nuke test site considered for counterterrorism training

Nevada officials Wednesday attempted to persuade Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge to build a military counterterrorism training center at the Nevada Test Site, the New York Times reported.

After witnessing a military demonstration hosted by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., Ridge said the site, long used for testing nuclear weapons, has many advantages.

"There is a body of expertise that has been here a long time," Ridge said. "There is a melding of skills here that are trying to anticipate a potential terrorist threat."

The Nevada Test Site is one of several places Ridge is considering for a counterterrorism training program, according to the Times. Ridge has yet to make a decision on the Nevada site, said his spokesman Gordon Johndroe. Reid said he estimates that if the Nevada site is chosen, it could result in $50 million to $60 million per year heading into the state.

The site would be a good location because it could serve many different agencies, Reid said. He added that it has already been used to train law enforcement officials on handling biological, chemical and radioactive dangers, as well as nuclear weapons testing.

The test site "has a network of tunnels going miles, deep shafts. It already has a chemical spill facility," Reid said. "There are areas for putting together and taking apart nuclear weapons. You can blow things up here like you can't in other places."