Good point
Forgot about that. Were the ETs only needed for Shuttle it'd be a reason to walk away if the plant were wrecked. But you're right, they are critical to the future architecture as well.
Still, if the current inventory is wiped out and it takes months just to clean up the place, when does that allow the next shuttle flight to take place? And how does it impact the notional schedule to 2010? Not good is my guess