Press Releases

Officials with The Texas A&M University System announced Thursday that Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) will help address critical needs in the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile by providing technical expertise, workforce development and training at the Pantex Plant, the nation’s primary facility for the final assembly, dismantlement and maintenance of nuclear weapons. Learn more in the Texas A&M University System new release.

Pantex Plant’s Emergency Management Department will conduct an emergency exercise the day of November 13th. During this exercise, between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. people in the vicinity of the Pantex Plant may observe emergency personnel simulating response activities as part of the exercise.

We apologize for the inconvenience; however, emergency exercises test the ability of emergency personnel to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations, and ensure the public, Pantex employees and the environment would be protected in the event of an actual emergency.

Again, you may observe response personnel simulating response activities as part of the exercise, but if you observe suspicious activity before or after November 13th, please report your observations to 477-5000.

AMARILLO, Texas- The Engineering News-Record, (ENR), a 101-year old professional engineering publication, has selected Pantex’s John C. Drummond Center (JCDC) as the 2018 Best Project in its annual category of Government/Public buildings in the Texas-Louisiana district.

According to its website, ENR posted: “Designing a state-of-the-art, high-security complex in a remote location with a harsh climate forced the project team to get creative when it came to procuring materials and labor. The $115-million, 348,000-sq-ft JCDC, (formerly the Administrative Support Complex, or ASC) enables the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to relocate employees from its aging facilities into a modern, energy-efficient facility adjacent to Pantex.

The construction schedule was tight and with the site’s remoteness, materials and labor were distant. These challenges informed the design team’s selection of materials and building systems that could be fabricated off site in controlled environments to eliminate concerns about weather and the site’s distant location. The contractor pursued subcontractors from five different states and developed a strategy to enhance the capabilities of several small local subcontractors.

The end result was a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, three-story, precast and glass building that uses flexible floor plates and contains offices to support 1,100 federal and contractor employees. The complex includes a 365-seat sloped-floor auditorium, cafeteria, medical facility, conference center, and meeting spaces. The project was completed on time and under budget.

Brad Roquemore, Lawler-Wood Vice President said, “The Pantex JCDC (formerly ASC) is the third building that Lawler-Wood and its core team members, Turner Construction Company and STG Design, have developed at two NNSA sites. Lawler-Wood is very proud to have the opportunity to participate in the modernization of these sites, which play a vital role in our national security. It is also proud to play a key role in introducing new, creative, and cost-effective financing and construction delivery methods into the government procurement system."

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

AMARILLO, Texas- Pantex was recently named a veteran-friendly employer by the Texas Workforce Commission and Texas Veterans Commission. To be considered for the distinction, employers must employ a workforce of 10% or more veterans; more than 20% of the employee base at Pantex is made up of veterans, earning the award for large corporation veteran-friendly employer for the Panhandle area.

“Pantexans truly appreciate veterans,” said Heather Freeman, human resources site manager. “It is an honor to work alongside the heroes of our country. The experience they gain as a veteran is an excellent match for the important Pantex mission. It was very rewarding to be recognized as ‘vet-friendly’ before so many Texas employers at the conference. The recognition represents decades of Pantex valuing our vets.”

Pantex takes pride in its veterans and works closely with the Texas Veterans Commission to match and employ transitioning military servicemen and women into the workforce. This is not the first time Pantex has received an award focus on veterans. In 2012, Pantex was awarded the Department of Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Employer of the Year for large companies.

“Military service builds skills that are very valuable to employers,” said Freeman. “Veterans have training in leadership, teamwork, loyalty, decision making and technical skills. They have real-life experience, work well under pressure, are responsible, have a strong work ethic and can interact with a variety of people. It is a great investment for both employers and those who have served our country.”

Pantex holds a special ceremony each year commemorating Armed Forces Day to honor and acknowledge veterans’ service to the country – both as veterans and as Pantex employees.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the 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

Pantex Plant’s Emergency Management Department will conduct an emergency exercise on August 1, 2018. During this exercise, between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. people in the vicinity of the Pantex Plant may observe emergency personnel simulating response activities as part of the exercise.

We apologize for the inconvenience; however, emergency exercises test the ability of emergency personnel to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations, and ensure the public, Pantex employees and the environment would be protected in the event of an actual emergency.

Again, you may observe response personnel simulating response activities as part of the exercise, but if you observe suspicious activity before or after August 1, please report your observations to
477-5000.

AMARILLO - Sixteen nonprofits in the Texas Panhandle are better able to continue or expand their missions thanks to grants from the Amarillo Area Foundation (AAF)-administered Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) Pantex Community Investment Fund. AAF and CNS, which manages Pantex for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, today announced the recipients of charitable funds totaling $150,000.

“Our goal was to give our employees a voice in determining where corporate dollars are invested in the community where they work, live, and volunteer,” said Jason Bohne, CNS Communications director. “By working together with the Amarillo Area Foundation, we are confident that these grants and their recipients will have a positive impact in the Panhandle.”

A total of $620,000 has been awarded to nonprofits throughout the Texas Panhandle since 2016 when the grant program began. “Pantex has always been committed to improving and supporting our surrounding communities. We are very proud to continue our employees’ legacy of giving by contributing to Panhandle organizations through the CNS Community Investment Fund,” said Pantex Site Manager Todd Ailes.

The advisory committee, comprised of Pantex employees, reviewed grant applications and recommended grant awards to AAF. The grantee organizations were selected based on the following funding priorities: basic needs; children, youth, and family; community development; education; and health and wellness.

Organizations and the funds they will receive are as follows:

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.com or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573-6032
stephen.myers@cns.doe.gov

Pantex Plant’s Emergency Management Department will conduct a site-wide Full-Participation Emergency Exercise on April 17. You may observe response personnel simulating response activities as part of the exercise. Do not be alarmed if you see some of this activity. Due to the scenario, a portion of Pantex may close during parts of the exercise. Please avoid the exercise areas as they are announced. For this exercise, plant personnel will be expected to take the announced protective actions. This is a large-scale exercise, so please limit calls to the OC. Do not call the OC to ask if you are participating.

Emergency exercises test the ability of emergency personnel to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations and ensure the public, Pantex employees, and the environment would be protected in the event of an actual emergency. If you observe suspicious activity before or after April 17, please report your observations to 477-5000.

AMARILLO, Texas/OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – United Way contributions at the Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex totaled some $1.1 million, Consolidated Nuclear Security, the sites’ managing and operating contractor, announced today. Contributions from employees, retirees and the corporation were gathered during the sites’ recent campaigns.

Corporate gifts of $150,000 also added to the total. Funds also were raised through special events, such as silent auctions, and the sales of jewelry, books and food items. This year, both sites’ employees added to their United Way activities by raising funds and supplies for local veteran resource centers.

“Pantexans have always been deeply committed to their community, as evidenced by the 10 percent increase in our Leadership Givers, those who donate $1,000 or more annually,” said Pantex Site Manager Todd Ailes. “The money raised here stays here, helping our neighbors in need.”

“Our employees come from all across East Tennessee and represent the diverse communities that make this such a special place,” said Y-12 Plant Manager Bill Tindal. “The fact that each United Way organization receives a representative percentage of employee contributions is what giving back is all about. I can’t think of a better way to help the people of your home community than through United Way.”

Y-12 employee contributions to the United Way are distributed in 17 East Tennessee counties, while Pantex contributions benefit the Texas Panhandle region and equated to 11 percent of the overall Amarillo and Canyon United Way campaign.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the 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.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Some 212 Pantex and Y-12 employees recently were recognized by the Office of Defense Programs for setting the bar high with their work and significant contributions to sustain our nation’s nuclear deterrent.

“The work that underpins the stockpile is complex and challenging,” said Phil Calbos, principal assistant deputy administrator for Defense Programs. “These awards recognize the most exceptional of those efforts, and it is important to take time to honor those involved. Our superb people are at the core of NNSA’s role as part of the deterrent.”

DP Awards of Excellence recipients have made — in any phase of the nuclear weapons life cycle process — an identifiable and significant achievement in providing increased quality; productivity; cost savings; creativity; or enhanced weapon safety, security, or use control. Ceremonies were held in Amarillo, Texas, to honor 10 teams and Oak Ridge, Tenn., to honor three teams of award recipients.

“Your accomplishments are crucial to our continued success and represent Pantex and Y-12 at their best. Thank you for maintaining our can do spirit,” CNS President and Chief Executive Officer Morgan Smith said. “Our sites have made significant achievements throughout our history that we often reflect on, but your work sets the stage for our future. You’re pushing us forward daily with better ways to get the job done. Each of the 13 projects recognized by Defense Programs makes me very proud — of you, your foresight, and your dedication to our mission for the nation. Thank you.”

The DP Awards of Excellence were established in 1982 to recognize significant individual and team accomplishments across the nuclear weapons complex in support of NNSA’s nuclear weapons program. The awards recognize significant achievements in quality, productivity, cost savings, safety, or creativity supporting NNSA’s nuclear weapons modernization program. Federal employees and contractors are eligible to win awards. An executive review panel, with equal representation from each office, selects the winners annually.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) 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. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the 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.

Amarillo, Texas—Emergency response personnel from the National Nuclear Security Administration and Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), will conduct an emergency management exercise January 17th at the Pantex Plant.

During this exercise, between 8:00 a.m. and noon people in the vicinity of the Pantex Plant may observe response personnel simulating response activities as part of the exercise.

This event is part of emergency management exercises conducted on a regular basis by the U.S. Department of Energy Pantex Plant. These exercises test the ability of emergency personnel to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations, and ensure that the public, Pantex employees and the environment would be protected in the event of an actual emergency.