• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News
  • Subscribe

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds




NNSA has virtual job fair, including for Y-12

Posted at 8:37 am January 27, 2021
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration has a virtual job fair for its laboratories and production sites on Wednesday, January 27.

The NNSA said it wants to hire about 2,000 new employees in 2021.

The virtual job fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday. It will include hiring officials from NNSA and its national laboratories, plants, and sites, a press release said. Those include:

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: job fair, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, Y-12 National Security Complex

Advertisements

Public Notice: Comment period extended for Draft EA for Lithium Processing Facility at Y-12

Posted at 5:03 pm December 18, 2020
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

EXTENSION OF THE COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE LITHIUM PROCESSING FACILITY AT THE Y-12 NATIONAL SECURITY COMPLEX (DOE/EA-2145)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the extension of the comment period until January 22, 2021, for this Draft Environmental Assessment (EA), which analyzes the potential impacts of constructing and operating the Lithium Processing Facility (LPF) to process and supply the lithium material and components that are needed to support the National Security Enterprise. The LPF would be located at the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) on a proposed site that is currently occupied by the former Biology Complex. NNSA invites the public to review and submit comments on the Draft EA. Copies of the document are available for public review on the NNSA NEPA web page (https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/nnsa-nepa-reading-room) and/or the DOE NEPA web page (https://www.energy.gov/nepa/public-comment-opportunities). Public comments on the Draft EA should be submitted no later than January 22, 2021. Comments may be submitted via regular mail to NNSA NEPA Document Manager, Attn: LPF Draft EA, P.O. Box 2050, Oak Ridge, TN 37831; or by email: [email protected] Comments will not be accepted over the telephone.

Filed Under: Classifieds, National Nuclear Security Administration, Public Notices, Sponsored Posts, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: draft environmental assessment, lithium processing facility, Y-12 National Security Complex

Advertisement

Public Notice: Draft Environmental Assessment Available for Lithium Production Facility at Y-12

Posted at 12:05 pm December 3, 2020
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE LITHIUM PROCESSING FACILITY AT THE Y-12 NATIONAL SECURITY COMPLEX (DOE/EA-2145)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the availability of this Draft Environmental Assessment (EA), which analyzes the potential impacts of constructing and operating the Lithium Processing Facility (LPF) to process and supply the lithium material and components that are needed to support the National Security Enterprise. The LPF would be located at the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) on a proposed site that is currently occupied by the former Biology Complex.

NNSA invites the public to review and submit comments on the Draft EA. Copies of the document are available for public review on the NNSA NEPA web page (https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/nnsa-nepa-reading-room) and/or the DOE NEPA web page (https://www.energy.gov/nepa/public-comment-opportunities). Public comments on the Draft EA should be submitted no later than January 8, 2021. Comments may be submitted via regular mail to NNSA NEPA Document Manager, Attn: LPF Draft EA, P.O. Box 2050, Oak Ridge, TN 37831; or by email: [email protected] Comments will not be accepted over the telephone.

Filed Under: Classifieds, National Nuclear Security Administration, Public Notices, Sponsored Posts, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: environmental assessment, lithium production facility, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex

NNSA administrator resigns

Posted at 9:24 am November 11, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Lisa Gordon-Hagerty

Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, the administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, resigned Friday.

The NNSA oversees the work at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and other nuclear weapons sites across the nation. The NNSA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Energy, maintains nuclear warheads, produces fuel for the nuclear navy, and works on nuclear nonproliferation, among other activities.

Gordon-Hagerty, who was also under secretary of energy for nuclear security, became the first woman to lead the NNSA in February 2018.

It’s not clear why she resigned Friday or whether her resignation was voluntary.

Defense News reported that the resignation was driven by almost a year of clashes between Gordon-Hagerty’s office and Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, including over budgets.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Dan Brouillette, Jim Inhofe, Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, nuclear weapons, U.S. Department of Energy, William Bookless, Y-12 National Security Complex

Public notice: Draft environmental assessment available for Technology and Training Center

Posted at 4:33 pm August 19, 2020
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OAK RIDGE ENHANCED TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING CENTER (ORETTC) (DOE/EA-2144)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the availability of this Draft Environmental Assessment (EA), which analyzes the potential impacts of constructing and operating the ORETTC to train first responders and other experts in nuclear operations, safeguards, and emergency response.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: National Nuclear Security Administration, Public Notices, Sponsored Posts, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: draft environmental assessment, National Nuclear Security Administration, NEPA, NNSA, Oak Ridge Enhanced Technology and Training Center, ORETTC, U.S. Department of Energy

Public notice: Final supplement analysis available for earthquake accident analysis at Y-12

Posted at 11:09 am July 24, 2020
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL SUPPLEMENT ANALYSIS FOR THE FINAL SITE-WIDE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE Y-12 NATIONAL SECURITY COMPLEX (Y-12 SWEIS), EARTHQUAKE ACCIDENT ANALYSIS (DOE/EIS-0387-SA-04)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the availability of this Final Supplement Analysis (SA), which presents an analysis of the potential impacts of earthquake accidents at the Y-12 site. Based on the SA, NNSA has determined that no further NEPA documentation is required. Copies of the document are available on the DOE NEPA web page at https://www.energy.gov/nepa/doeeis-0387-y-12-national-security-complex-site-wide-environmental-impact-statement-oak-ridge.

Filed Under: Classifieds, National Nuclear Security Administration, Public Notices, Sponsored Posts, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: earthquake accident analysis, final supplement analysis, National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 employee dies of health issues related to COVID-19

Posted at 10:28 am July 21, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

William Mark Easterly

A project controls manager at the Y-12 National Security Complex has died of health issues related to COVID-19, the nuclear weapons production plant said Tuesday.

The Daily Times has identified the employee as Mark Easterly of Maryville. The newspaper said Easterly was employed by Bechtel for almost 30 years, and he began working at Y-12 as a project controls manager in March.

His death is the first death due to COVID-19 at a National Nuclear Security Administration site. Y-12 is an NNSA site. The NNSA is part of the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Daily Times reported that Easterly’s wife, Brandee, is principal of John Sevier Elementary School in Maryville.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: COVID-19, Front Page News, Health, National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: COVID-19, Mark Easterly, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, The Daily Times, Y-12 National Security Complex

For members: CNS violated nuclear safety requirements at Y-12, NNSA says

Posted at 6:00 pm May 3, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Y-12 Building 9212

A low-level aerial shot of Building 9212 at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

 

A federal contractor violated nuclear safety requirements at the Y-12 National Security Complex, according to the National Nuclear Security Administration.

The violations are associated with the accumulations of uranium-235 in a glovebox, furnace, and casting line in Building 9212 at Y-12. The equipment is used to recover and process uranium-235, a fissile material that can be used in nuclear weapons and reactors.

The buildup of enriched uranium, discovered after hydraulic lines leaked in a glovebox, exceeded limits established by a safety program meant to help prevent a nuclear chain reaction.

An investigation of the uranium accumulations found weaknesses in five areas, according to the NNSA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Energy and overseas nuclear weapons work at sites like Y-12. Among the deficiencies were procedural compliances, evaluations of process changes, the analyses of causes, the establishment of roles and responsibilities, and the implementation of a program meant to prevent inadvertent accumulations.

“The National Nuclear Security Administration considers these deficiencies to be of high safety significance,” Administrator Lisa Gordon-Hagerty wrote in an April 6 letter. “Although there were no actual consequences to the public, workers, or the environment, these deficiencies eroded the barriers preventing a nuclear criticality and could, if left uncorrected, adversely impact nuclear and worker safety at the Y-12 National Security Complex.”

The letter was sent to Morgan Smith, president and chief executive officer of Consolidated Nuclear Security. CNS manages and operates Y-12, as well as the Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas, for the NNSA.

The rest of this story, which you will find only on Oak Ridge Today, is available if you are a member: an advertiser, sponsor, or subscriber to Oak Ridge Today.

Already a member? Great! Thank you! Sign in here.

Not a member? No problem! Subscribe here:

Basic

  • Basic monthly subscription ($5 per month)—access premium content
  • Basic annual subscription ($60 per year)—access premium content

Pro

  • Pro monthly subscription ($10 per month)—access premium content, get breaking news emails first, and submit one press release or public service announcement per month
  • Pro annual subscription ($100 per year)—save $20 per year, access premium content, get breaking news emails first, and submit one press release or public service announcement per month

Temporary

  • Temporary access ($3 per week for two weeks)

If you prefer to send a check, you may do so by mailing one to:

Oak Ridge Today

P.O. Box 6064

Oak Ridge, TN 37831

Learn about our advanced subscription options here.

Note: Most news stories on Oak Ridge Today are free, brought to you by Oak Ridge Today with help from our advertisers, sponsors, and subscribers. Some are considered premium content. This story is premium content. Premium content can include in-depth, investigative, and exclusive stories. These stories generally take more than four hours to report, write, and publish.

Thank you for reading Oak Ridge Today!

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, National Nuclear Security Administration, Premium Content, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Amber McCarthy, Bruce Hamilton, Building 9212, casting line, casting operation, CNS, Consolidated Nuclear Security, criticality safety, criticality safety evaluation, Dave Kupferer, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, DNFSB, DOE, DOE Office of Enforcement, DOE Office of Enterprise Assessments, enriched uranium, fissile material, Holden Gas Furnace, inadvertent accumulation prevention program, Jerry Lichtenwalter, Kathryn King, knockout glovebox, Morgan Smith, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, NNSA Production Office, nuclear criticality, nuclear criticality safety, nuclear safety, preliminary notice of violation, reduction process, sand separator, Spencer Jordan, Steven Wyatt, Travis Wilson, U.S. Department of Energy, uranium accumulations, uranium buildup, uranium holdup, uranium oxide, uranium-235, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 recycling sensitive documents, converting into reusable briquettes

Posted at 4:20 pm April 20, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The paper disintegrator system at the Y-12 National Security Complex produces paper briquettes to be used by off-site recycling vendors to make compressed paper products. The briquettes are currently reused by a commercial company to make a cellulose binder for construction products, such as asphalt sealants. (Photo courtesy CNS Y-12)

Note: This story was updated at 12:45 p.m. April 21.

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is recycling sensitive documents by disintegrating them and compressing them into paper briquettes, which are used to make a cellulose binder for construction products, such as asphalt sealants.

In Fiscal Year 2019, 270,000 pounds of paper briquettes were recycled, according to Consolidated Nuclear Security, which manages and operates Y-12 as well as the Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas.

Sensitive documents generally contain content that is deemed sensitive for business or classification reasons. Y-12 said all of the documents generated at its site, a nuclear weapons production plant, are processed through its Destruction and Recycle, or DAR, facility.

The paper is processed through a disintegrator before it is put into a briquettor. The disintegrated paper meets security specifications for size reduction, CNS said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: briquettor, cellulose binder, CNS, Consolidated Nuclear Security, disintegrator, Jan Jackson, paper briquettes, recycling, Y-12 National Security Complex

CNS president returned to work last week after work-from-home precaution

Posted at 3:29 pm April 14, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Morgan Smith (Photo by CNS)

Morgan Smith, president and chief executive officer of Consolidated Nuclear Security, returned to work last week after temporarily working from home as a precaution. Smith worked from home after he was notified that someone that he had been in brief contact with had reported symptoms that could be related to COVID-19.

But a test of that person was negative for COVID-19, and Smith returned to work on Tuesday, April 7, CNS spokesperson Kathryn King said this week.

Smith had no symptoms, King said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: COVID-19, Health, National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: CNS, Consolidated Nuclear Security, COVID-19, Kathryn King, Morgan Smith, Pantex Plant, Y-12 National Security Complex

Forty-nine COVID-19 cases confirmed at NNSA sites

Posted at 10:35 am April 9, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The National Nuclear Security Administration on Wednesday said there were 49 confirmed COVID-19 cases at its sites across the country.

The sites include the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. The NNSA, which oversees work at Y-12, did not say how how many COVID-19 cases there have been among Y-12 employees. The plant is not releasing site-specific numbers of confirmed cases because of operational security concerns, the NNSA said.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, which manages and operates Y-12 for the NNSA, has also declined to say how many COVID-19 cases have been confirmed among Y-12 employees. CNS confirmed the first two cases in March and, when asked about additional cases, would only say that there were several.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: COVID-19, Health, National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: CNS, Consolidated Nuclear Security, COVID-19, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, UPF, uranium processing facility, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 begins limited operations, transitions to ‘mission critical’ operations

Posted at 11:32 am April 8, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above. (Photo courtesy CNS Y-12)

Note: This story was updated at 11:45 a.m.

On Monday, the Y-12 National Security Complex began limited operations and transitioning to mission-critical operations. The change is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For now, all non-essential personnel will leave the 811-acre nuclear weapons production plant in Oak Ridge, and employees who can telework will continue to do so.

“Since mid-March, Y-12 has been in a preventive phase of its pandemic plan,” the site in a a response to questions on Wednesday. The response was provided by spokesperson Kathryn King of Consolidated Nuclear Security, a federal contractor that manages and operates Y-12 and another nuclear weapons production plant, the Pantex Plant northeast of Amarillo, Texas.

“With additional cases now confirmed at Y-12 and the growing number of cases in East Tennessee, the plant is transitioning to a ‘containment’ phase that ensures mission-critical operations while further protecting the Y-12 workforce and the community,” the response said. “In the containment phases, all non-essential plant personnel will leave the site until further notice. Employees who are able to telework will continue to do so.”

CNS said all Y-12 processes, systems, and facilities will be maintained in safe and secure configurations. Key mission activities related to stockpile stewardship and modernization, and key infrastructure and reestablishment of production capabilities, will continue.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: COVID-19, Health, National Nuclear Security Administration, Slider, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Consolidated Nuclear Security, containment, COVID-19, Kathryn King, limited operations, mission critical operations, nuclear weapons, Pantex Plant, UPF, uranium processing facility, Y-12 National Security Complex

Next Page »

Search Oak Ridge Today

Recent Posts

  • Blasius to discuss Downtown Oak Ridge on Tuesday
  • Oak Ridge releases water quality report
  • Granholm, a former governor, now energy secretary
  • Gov. Lee lifts nursing home restrictions, extends state of emergency
  • ORNL FCU will lease space to Anderson County Family Justice Center
  • Basketball photos: Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats
  • Basketball: Lady Wildcats win district championship, defeat Farragut
  • ORUD announces new president, general manager
  • REAC/TS receives U.S. Secretary of Energy’s Achievement Award
  • TVA conducting maintenance at Bull Run

About Us

About Oak Ridge Today
What We Cover

How To

Advertise
Subscribe

Contact Us

Contact Oak Ridge Today

Copyright © 2021 Oak Ridge Today