News

NNSA celebrates the 51st anniversary of Earth Day across the Nuclear Security Enterprise

Last year was a big one. The United States celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. But the follow-up to any notable event is just as significant. That’s why this year, NNSA celebrated the 51st anniversary of Earth Day by honoring sustainability accomplishments from our sites across the country and highlighting achievements right here at “home.”

NNSA's Office of Safety, Infrastructure, and Operations has a small but dedicated team that works tirelessly to employ groundbreaking energy efficiency programs at NNSA sites, saving taxpayers millions of dollars while reducing energy use across the Enterprise.

Read full press release on the NNSA website.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) announced a major milestone in the dispositioning over 100 facilities at its Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas.

“For years now, we’ve been strategically removing legacy equipment and materials, packaging and shipping contaminated waste, and demolishing outdated facilities,” said Jim McConnell, Associate Administrator for NNSA’s Office of Safety, Infrastructure, and Operations. “Disposition means far more than just demolition, and this milestone represents NNSA’s commitment to legacy risk reduction and modernization.”

Read full press release on the NNSA website.

Pantex, Y12 honored for purchasing sustainable products

Amarillo, Texas— It’s not easy being green, but it’s getting easier … at least at Pantex and Y-12. Both sites were recently recognized with a GreenBuy award from the U.S. Department of Energy for fiscal year 2020.

Both sites, managed by Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) received the Silver award, meaning the sites met the goals of purchasing or using a minimum of six sustainable products in at least three product categories. Pantex had eight products in three different categories, and Y-12 achieved seven products in four different categories. Categories range from lowering health and environmental impacts to reducing maintenance and waste management costs.

Sherith Hudson, CNS Sustainable Acquisition program lead said, “During FY20, our sites continued their focus on electronic recycling; purchased concrete, paper towels/toilet tissue with recycled content, as well as electronic equipment as Priority Products; and transitioned to a bio-based dielectric fuel at Y-12.”

Sustainability practices have expanded

Both sites’ focus has increased from recycling, or managing waste, to purchasing sustainable products. According to Hudson, receiving recognition for sustainable purchasing helps guide the program toward more challenging opportunities. Site representatives agree.

“Previously, Y-12 only reported the amount of recycled content and bio-based products procured each year,” said Jan Jackson, manager of Y-12 Sustainability and Stewardship. “Now we actively participate in selecting the sustainable products to be used on projects around the site. Through the CNS Sustainable Acquisition Program, we support the overall goals of green purchasing.”

Alicia Barley of Pantex Environmental Compliance said, “At Pantex, the site has evolved from managing waste (recycling) to managing purchases also. Prioritizing the purchase of recycled content or bio-based products when possible can really contribute to our overall sustainability.”

“Procuring materials that meet sustainable requirements allows CNS to minimize the use of natural resources, meaning we leave a smaller/lighter footprint on the earth,” Hudson said.

Learn more about the GreenBuy Award Program and its recognition of DOE sites for excellence in “green purchasing.”

Both Y-12 and Pantex received a Silver Green Buy award from the U.S, Department of Energy. To earn this award, the sites met the goals of purchasing or using a minimum of six sustainable products in at least three product categories.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc.; Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, Inc.; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

The Pantex Wind Farm has allowed the site to consistently exceed DOE goals regarding the use of renewable energy and reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Buying Green
Pantex continues to acquire electronics products that are environmentally sustainable. During FY 2020, Pantex received the EPEAT Purchaser Award for purchasing approximately 95% of monitors, computers, telephones, televisions, and other imaging systems that met the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool criteria established by the Green Electronics Council. Nearly 100% of all computers and monitors save energy by using power management tools. Pantex Sustainable Acquisition also received the DOE Greenbuy award for purchasing eight green products in three different categories.

Recycling to prevent waste
During FY 2020, Pantex recycling efforts resulted in a total 1,265,048 pounds in recycled material. The following quantities (in pounds) of waste shipped to various recycling companies:

• Batteries 73,967
• Cardboard 95,360
• Electronics 22,451
• Lamps 2,857
• Other 140,937
• Paper 48,200
• Plastic 6,720
• Scrap Metal 814,316
• Scrap Tires 29,620
• Used Oil 30,620

Employing renewable energy
The plant continues to use renewable energy-powered equipment such as solar-powered aerators in the wastewater lagoons, solar-powered lights at parking lots, and solar-generated power to emergency notification towers. Since the summer of 2014, the Pantex Renewable Energy Project or “wind farm” has allowed the site to consistently exceed DOE goals for using renewable energy and reducing energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. The wind farm also provides both Pantex and Y-12 with renewable energy credits, which help exceed DOE sustainability goals.

Reducing energy intensity
Pantex has reduced energy intensity by 20% since 2015 primarily through the use of the Pantex wind farm. Energy intensity is the amount of energy used per square foot of plant’s footprint. By 2025, the goal is to reduce energy intensity at Pantex by 30% from the 2015 baseline. Energy savings in projects such as the HVAC Strike Team replacements and security lighting upgrades will further Pantex’s progress in reducing energy consumption.

Conserving water resources
The groundwater remediation program at Pantex focuses on pumping water from the perched aquifer and limiting the amount of recharge back into the perched aquifer. When contaminated water is pumped from the perched aquifer, it is treated to remove contaminants. This treated groundwater is then mixed with treated wastewater from the rest of the plant. Over the last two years, Pantex has renovated a subsurface irrigation system that, under a permit from the State of Texas, allows this treated wastewater to be beneficially reused for crop irrigation. Using the treated wastewater for irrigation increases crop production and reduces the amount of recharge going back into to the perched aquifer. On a typical day, between 900,000 and 1 million gallons of treated wastewater will be used in the subsurface irrigation system.

Following the rules
The State of Texas has issued Pantex an environmental compliance rating of “high,” which is the best rating that is offered by the state. The rating is based on Pantex’s compliance with its permits and authorizations and all of the environmental laws and regulations applicable to its operations. In addition, the state has classified the Pantex water supply and distribution system as “Superior.” This is also the highest rating offered by the state and is based on performing operations that go beyond those required by regulation.

Reducing waste
Pantex continues to use digital technology, such as the X-ray machine in the Pantex Occupational Medical Department, to eliminate silver-contaminated film wastes and reduce annual radiography waste. Electronics equipment is dispositioned through certified recyclers, transferred, or donated to other sites and/or educational institutions through various government programs. Accordingly, 99% of electronic equipment was kept out of landfills. In addition, more than 95% of all Pantex printers have duplex printing capabilities to save paper use.

Automation Technology, Main Sail honored for support of Pantex and Y-12

Amarillo, Texas.— Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) is pleased to recognize two small businesses for making a big impact on the success of the Pantex Plant and Y-12 National Security Complex. CNS operates those two sites in support of the National Nuclear Security Administration.

In a virtual awards ceremony held on April 14, 2021, CNS recognized Automation Technology, Inc. as the Pantex Small Business of the Year for 2020 and Main Sail, LLC as the Y-12 Small Business of the Year for 2020.

Automation Technology, a family-owned small business in Cantonment, Florida, was nominated by three Pantex subcontract administrators for their timely and open communication, efficiency in filling orders, and great customer service. With only six employees, Automation Technology has supplied a variety of commercial off-the-shelf and hard-to-find items to Pantex for approximately 30 years, including some used during the weapons process that require the utmost quality.

“I’m blown away by this honor,” said Automation Technology President Rusty Knowles. “It demonstrates that our personal approach to business is recognized and appreciated.”

Main Sail, founded in 2001, is a veteran-owned small business that provides integrated technology business enterprise services to government and commercial clients by evaluating business needs to develop and implement solutions.

“The customer service we received from Main Sail is above and beyond, so their selection as our Small Business of the Year was an easy one,” said Marisa Parkes, Procurement Operations subcontract administrator. “Main Sail has several subcontracts with CNS, from SAP® integration to development of a new air emissions tracking system (AETS) system, and they always get the job done.”

Expressing appreciation for the award, Main Sail Partner Scott Harris said, “The Main Sail team takes great pride in supporting the CNS Information Solutions & Services organization, helping their efforts to streamline operational efficiencies and implement new system functionality. We are fortunate to work with a great group of people at CNS and appreciative of this recognition for our role supporting the mission.”

Using subcontractor expertise is often the best use of taxpayer dollars, so CNS uses small businesses in a range of diverse roles, from staff augmentation services to construction support work. During fiscal year 2020, CNS spent $532 million on goods and services at Pantex, Y-12, and the Uranium Processing Facility at Y-12, which is more than 70 percent of total procurements.

“A great part of our mission success is due to our partnerships with small businesses.” said CNS Chief Operating Officer Bill Tindal. “We are proud to recognize these two businesses for their contributions and commend them for modeling the CNS core values of integrity, trust, respect, teamwork, and excellence.”

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc.; Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, Inc.; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Allison Roberts
Communications
Office (806) 573.0501
allison.roberts@pantex.doe.gov

Sharing Hope Ministry received $10,000 in 2020 from the Pantex Community Investment Fund to support its mission to assist at risk and incarcerated women in changing their story by sharing hope through Christ’s love.

“We do this by sending the Life Recovery Bible and Bible studies to women in prisons and rehabs across the country,” Stevi Larson, special events coordinator at Sharing Hope Ministry said.

Locally, Sharing Hope also has Patsy’s Place Transitional Home which is a 12 month Christ-based home that mentors women as they are released from prison or jail in hopes of setting them on a more positive journey. The grant funds from the Pantex Fund went specifically to Patsy’s Place Transitional Home.

“The funding has been instrumental in our program’s ability to provide materials for classes, medical, mental and dental assistance, events, GED books and supplies, food, hygiene items and assistance with housing, transportation and medical expenses for post-offending women in Amarillo,” Larson said.

Sharing Hope Ministry began locally in 1999 and operates locally to this day.

“A group of women at a local church had been praying for an outreach project when they received a request from a woman in one of our local jails asking for Life Recovery Bible,” Larson said. “They granted her request and as she shared where she got the Bible, it became clear that this was the outreach that God had intended for them.

In 1999, Sharing Hope gave out 2 Bibles, but by the end of 2000 they had given out over 2,000 Life Recovery Bibles.

“The church we were originally associated with saw the importance in the work that we were doing and told us to become a separate non-profit organization,” Larson said. “We gained non-profit status in 2001, and since our beginning we have sent out over 165,000 Life Recovery Bibles.”

Grants through the Community Investment Fund are awarded by an employee-led committee, and Larson said she’d like to share a big thank you to those who were part of the committee.

“I know that the people on this committee do it voluntarily and that it can be a hard task to listen to all of the non-profits and make a decision on who gets funding,” she said. “I know that they take being a part of the committee very seriously and I just am very grateful for each and every one of them. And thank you Pantex for caring enough about our community to make this amazing opportunity available!”

Consolidated Nuclear Security established the Pantex Community Investment Fund and has been helping local organizations since its inception in 2016. The Pantex Fund is a partnership with the Amarillo Area Foundation, which assists in the distribution of funds. In 2020, 16 nonprofits in the Texas Panhandle received grants equaling over $121,000 from the fund during a virtual ceremony.

From the beginning, Pantex created an employee advisory committee to determine distribution of the grants that target charities and non‑profit organizations that offer assistance with basic needs, children, youth, families, community development, education, financial literacy, as well as health and wellness.

On behalf of Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, responsible for the management and operations of the Pantex Plant, the Amarillo Area Foundation (AAF) announces a Request for Proposals (RFP). The Advisory Committee for the CNS Pantex Community Investment Fund, a component fund of the Amarillo Area Foundation, will entertain proposals from nonprofit and charitable institutions throughout the twenty-six northernmost counties in the Texas Panhandle (individuals and non-charitable organizations are not eligible).

For more information, see the full AAF press release.

Martha’s Home in Amarillo helps single mothers and their children rebuild their lives.

Martha’s Home is much more than a homeless shelter. Since 1987, it has been a place for Amarillo women, including single mothers with their children, to re-build their lives and break the cycle of poverty. The organization offers life skills training, case management, counseling, life recovery classes, mentoring, and thanks to a $10,000 grant from CNS, they have the ability to continue moving mountains.

“These things are not just a blip in their budget, it’s a mountain,” said Martha’s Home Executive Director Connie Garcia. “When you have a choice between paying car insurance and feeding your children, having someone remove that barrier can make a very tangible impact. They can drive to work without fear of getting a ticket.”

The organization has earmarked the grant funds to take care of special needs for residents, which could include car repairs, insurance, or registration.

Imagine fleeing a domestic violence situation and needing a new driver’s license or birth certificates to enroll your children in school. In Texas, birth certificates are approximately $22 each, which can add up for multiple children. Martha’s Home helps remove that barrier. It also provides special clothing or shoes needed for new jobs as the women get back on their feet.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” said Garcia. “This is an incredible blessing, and we are more grateful than words can say.”

The organization, named after Martha in the Bible, serves approximately 100 women each year in one of their five homes. The women receive more personal attention than at a temporary shelter and stay approximately three to four months before moving out with their housing deposit paid from the special needs fund.

Martha’s Home accepts donations of household items or monetary gifts. They also raise funds by hosting annual fundraisers like the popular Second Chance Prom and the Slack-A-Thon 0.5K Run/Walk.

The $10,000 was awarded by the Pantex Community Investment Advisory Committee, comprised of CNS employees. Through the Community Investment Fund administered by Amarillo Area Foundation, CNS has invested more than $850,000 in local nonprofits in the Texas Panhandle since 2016.

“We chose Martha’s Home to receive a Pantex Community Investment grant because of the lasting positive impact the organization has on helping homeless women in the Texas Panhandle,” said investment committee member Channing Sparks. “It was important for us to support a fund that directly helps single women and women with children with any issues that may arise while pursuing employment, housing, or education on their journey to being successful members of our community.”

Like other regions of Texas, the Amarillo area and Pantex Plant endured unprecedented winter weather Feb. 13-18, with record low temperatures impacting the site. Pantex responded quickly to the dangerous conditions by cancelling work shifts, reducing energy consumption, and evaluating freezing temperature-related damage to facilities.

In line with Gov. Abbott’s disaster declaration, President Biden’s federal emergency declaration for severe winter weather, and a request by utility providers, Pantex took steps to reduce temperatures in buildings and implement other measures to decrease energy use, maintain utilities, and conduct essential activities.

Read full press release on the NNSA website.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) will host a virtual job fair for the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) Wednesday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EDT). The NSE will hire over 3,000 new employees to join its robust and diverse workforce in 2021 to continue building the next generation of nuclear security professionals.

Read full press release on the NNSA website.