LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The secretary of energy said Monday that 68 federal workers had been furloughed at the Nevada National Security Site, and thousands of contractors could face the same fate by month's end.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited the Mission Support and Test Services complex in North Las Vegas on Monday to meet with workers and brief reporters about the impact of the government shutdown on his department's programs. He later visited the security site itself, at Mercury, Nevada.

VIDEO: Steve Sebelius speaks to the energy secretary about the impact of furloughs at the Nevada National Security Site Energy secretary says 68 federal workers have been furloughed as a result of government shutdown

"This work is critical. The humans working on it are critical," Wright said. "We

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