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Gordon-Hagerty sworn in as first female NNSA administrator

Posted at 11:05 am February 26, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty is sworn in by Energy Secretary Rick Perry as the U.S. Department of Energy’s under secretary for nuclear security and administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2018. (Photo by NNSA)

Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty is sworn in by Energy Secretary Rick Perry as the U.S. Department of Energy’s under secretary for nuclear security and administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2018. (Photo by NNSA)

 

Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty was sworn in Thursday by Energy Secretary Rick Perry as the U.S. Department of Energy’s under secretary for nuclear security and administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Gordon-Hagerty is responsible for managing and operating the NNSA in support of the nuclear security agenda of Perry and President Donald Trump, a press release said. The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is an NNSA site.

“Lisa Gordon-Hagerty exemplifies the leadership and institutional knowledge required to oversee the National Nuclear Security Administration,” Perry said in the press release.  “I am especially proud of the fact that she is the first woman in history to lead the NNSA and look forward to working together to address the administration’s goal of modernizing our nuclear security enterprise.”

Gordon-Hagerty has more than 30 years of national security experience, the press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: administrator, DOE, Donald Trump, Frank Klotz, Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty, National Nuclear Security Administration, national security, naval reactor, NNSA, nuclear materials, nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear security, nuclear weapons, Rick Perry, Steve Erhart, U.S. Department of Energy, under secretary for nuclear security, Y-12 National Security Complex

Gordon-Hagerty confirmed as NNSA administrator

Posted at 2:03 am February 16, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Note: This story was updated at 9:15 a.m.

Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday as the U.S. Department of Energy’s under secretary for nuclear security and administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Once she is sworn in to the position, Gordon-Hagerty will be responsible for the management and operation of NNSA, supporting the nuclear security agenda of Energy Secretary Rick Perry and President Donald Trump, a press release said.

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is an NNSA site.

The NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within DOE, and it is responsible for nuclear nonproliferation, the nation’s naval reactor programs, and managing and securing the nation’s nuclear weapons. It also responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the United States and abroad; provides safe and secure transportation of nuclear weapons, components, and special nuclear materials; and has other national security missions. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: administrator, DOE, Donald Trump, Frank Klotz, infrastructure modernization, Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, Rick Perry, Senate Armed Services Committee, Steve Erhart, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Senate, under secretary for nuclear security, Y-12 National Security Complex

NNSA finishes upgrades at Y-12 enriched uranium buildings ahead of schedule, under budget

Posted at 4:17 pm February 23, 2015
By National Nuclear Security Administration Leave a Comment

Y-12 Building 9212 Stack 110

At Building 9212, Stacks 110 and 43 were combined, which eliminated use of one exhaust stack. Further improvements on the project at the Y-12 National Security Complex included the old bag filtration system being replaced with a new cartridge dust collector, shown here. (Photos courtesy NNSA)

 

Project provides critical infrastructure upgrades in Building 9212

The National Nuclear Security Administration has completed a major capital improvement project that has resulted in critical infrastructure upgrades to two key production buildings at the Y-12 National Security Complex. The $75.7 million project was completed nearly 11 months ahead of the construction completion schedule and approximately $5.6 million under budget.

The Nuclear Facilities Risk Reduction, or NFRR, project included upgrades to mechanical, electrical, ventilation, and heating/cooling systems for enriched uranium operations in Buildings 9212 and 9204-2E. The project began in 2008, when 10 tasks were identified and undertaken to make those facilities safer for operations. The project was originally scheduled for completion in 2016.

Improvements include major portions of a 40‑year‑old ventilation system being replaced, and 11 steam stations being consolidated into seven with improved function and maintainability. Several upgrades, replacements, and modifications have been made to electrical switchgear and motor control center systems, and a Kathabar system was replaced with a more environmentally friendly brine chiller. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, National Nuclear Security Administration, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: 9204-2E, Building 9212, building upgrades, capital improvement, enriched uranium, infrastructure upgrades, National Nuclear Security Administration, NFRR, ngineering Production Construction and Maintenance, NNSA, NNSA Production Office, Nuclear Facilities Risk Reduction, Steve Erhart, uranium processing facility, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex

Robbins named deputy manager of NNSA Production Office

Posted at 1:17 am December 10, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Teresa M. Robbins

Teresa M. Robbins

Teresa M. Robbins has been named deputy manager for the National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office, or NPO.

In her new role, Robbins is responsible for day-to-day management and tactical execution of NPO activities. NPO is responsible for contract management and technical oversight of the consolidated contract at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas.

“Ms. Robbins has a wealth of technical and project management experience and excellent personnel management skills,” said Steve Erhart, NPO manager. “She is a great addition to the senior executive team in NNSA.”

Robbins has more than 20 years of experience in nuclear facility operations, engineering, safety analysis, maintenance, and risk analysis within the U.S. Department of Energy complex, a press release said. She previously held several leadership positions at NNSA, where she served as the deputy federal project director for the Uranium Processing Facility project, and more recently as acting senior scientific and technical adviser and then as the acting assistant manager for environment, safety, health, and quality for NPO. [Read more…]

Filed Under: National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: consolidated contract, contract management, deputy manager, National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office, NNSA, NNSA Production Office, NPO, nuclear engineering, nuclear facility, Pantex Plant, Steve Erhart, Teresa M. Robbins, U.S. Department of Energy, uranium processing facility, Y-12 National Security Complex

Spotlight: Weapons lab directors visit Y-12

Posted at 3:24 am October 15, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Weapons Lab Directors Visit Y-12

From left above are Assembly/Disassembly Operations Manager Reed Mullins, Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal, LLNL Director William Goldstein, LANL Director Charles McMillan, SNL Director Paul Hommert, and NNSA Production Office Manager Steve Erhart. (Photo courtesy CNS)

 

Laboratory directors from Sandia National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory recently visited the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.

The group toured facilities at the site, including production buildings and Y-12’s Nuclear Detection and Sensor Testing Center, a press release said.

Pictured above are employees at Y-12; lab directors from SNL, LLNL, and LANL; and the National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office.

Filed Under: Honors and Spotlight, National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Bill Tindal, Charles McMillan, LANL, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLNL, Los Alamos National Laboratory, National Nuclear Security Administration, National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office, NNSA, Paul Hommert, Reed Mullins, Sandia National Laboratory, SNL, Steve Erhart, William Goldstein, Y-12 National Security Complex

Demolition of Building 9744 completed at Y-12

Posted at 10:38 am September 25, 2014
By National Nuclear Security Administration Leave a Comment

Y-12 Building 9744 Demolition

The Y-12 National Security Complex completed the demolition of Building 9744 this week. The facility was a deteriorated, former utilities and maintenance facility taking up more than 9,000 square feet in Y-12’s high-security area. Despite challenges, the CNS demolition team was able to bring down the facility nearly two months ahead of schedule. (Photo courtesy NNSA)

 

The Y-12 National Security Complex recently celebrated another improvement in its site infrastructure with the demolition of Building 9744, a former utilities and maintenance facility occupying more than 9,000 square feet in Y-12’s Protected Area.

“This facility was in danger of collapse and posed a risk to the site’s personnel and operations,” said James McConnell, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s acting associate administrator for infrastructure and operations. “Upon realization of this risk, we were able to secure funding to stabilize the area from both a safety and environmental perspective.

The demolition proved challenging due to the deteriorating facility conditions, precluding the standard approach of entering the facility to abate hazards and remove hazardous waste prior to the structural demolition. Despite structural issues and associated waste disposal concerns, the facility was safely demolished nearly two months ahead of schedule. The demolition team collaborated with several internal and external organizations to accomplish the aggressive schedule in accordance with environmental and safety standards. [Read more…]

Filed Under: National Nuclear Security Administration, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: ATK Launch Services, Bechtel National Inc., Booz Allen Hamilton, Building 9744, CNS, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, demolition, James McConnell, Lockheed Martin, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, NNSA Production Office, Pantex Plant, protected area, site infrastructure, SOC, Steve Erhart, Waste Management, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex

Medal of Honor recipients honored at Y-12

Posted at 11:46 am September 14, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Medal of Honor Recipients at Y-12 National Security Complex

Medal of Honor recipients Herschel “Woody” Williams (USMC, WWII, Iwo Jima); Ron Rosser (US Army, Ponggilli, Korea); and Wesley Fox (USMC, Quang Tri, Vietnam) were welcomed by CNS President Jim Haynes (far left) and NNSA Production Office Manager Steve Erhart (far right) at the Medal of Honor Town Hall Forum held at Y-12’s New Hope Center on Friday. (Photo courtesy CNS)

 

Three Medal of Honor recipients were honored at the Y-12 National Security Complex during a Town Hall Forum on Friday, part of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s annual convention held in Knoxville last week.

The Medal of Honor recipients honored at Y-12 were Herschel “Woody” Williams (U.S. Marine Corps, Iwo Jima, World War II), Ron Rosser (U.S. Army, Ponggilli, Korea) and Wesley Fox (USMC, Quang Tri, Vietnam). They were welcomed at Y-12’s New Hope Center by CNS President Jim Haynes and Steve Erhart, manager of the National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office.

The three recipients discussed their experiences and answered questions from the public. Williams and Rosser also toured the Y-12 National Security complex with Haynes and Y-12 Historian Ray Smith. The group visited 9731, Y-12’s pilot plant during the Manhattan Project, and the south ridge of the site.

Many of the honorees also visited area schools, where Tennessee leads the nation in adopting the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation’s Character Development Program. To learn more about the program, go to http://www.mohknoxville.com/character-development/.

See also this story from the Medal of Honor Town Hall at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Filed Under: Community, Federal, Government, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: 9731, Character Development Program, CNS, Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, Congressional Medal of Honor Society, convention, Herschel "Woody" Williams, Iwo Jima, Jim Haynes, Korea, Manhattan Project, Medal of Honor, National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office, New Hope Center, NNSA, Ray Smith, Ron Rosser, Steve Erhart, Town Hall Forum, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, USMC, Vietnam, Wesley Fox, World War II, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12, Pantex complete transition to new contractor

Posted at 12:48 pm July 1, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Y-12 Aerial Photo June 2012

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is pictured above in June 2012. (Photo courtesy NNSA)

 

The National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office and Consolidated Nuclear Security have completed one of the largest and most complex contract transitions in the history of the U.S. Department of Energy.

On July 1, Consolidated Nuclear Security, or CNS, assumed the responsibility for managing and operating the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. CNS replaces B&W Y-12, which had operated Y-12 since 2000, and B&W Pantex, which also had operated Pantex since 2000. The contract includes a total annual operating budget of $1.5 billion and employment of about 8,000 in Tennessee and Texas.

Steve Erhart

Steve Erhart

“The new contract will allow NNSA to continue the safe and secure maintenance of the nuclear weapons stockpile; provide enriched uranium for naval, research, and isotope production reactors; and, support nonproliferation activities to reduce the global nuclear threat,” said Steve Erhart, NNSA Production Office manager. “The conclusion of this transition will bring much needed stability to the thousands of men and women who play an important role in our enduring national security mission. All contract transitions create some change and uncertainty. But, throughout this process, the highly skilled professionals at Pantex and Y-12 have remained focused and dedicated to the safe and secure completion of the mission.”

The consolidated contract will yield significant savings to the U.S. taxpayer over the life of the contract as NNSA and CNS develop more efficient ways of doing business, a press release said. A portion of the generated savings are to be reinvested into aging infrastructure at both sites to improve the working conditions for the Pantex and Y-12 workforce. [Read more…]

Filed Under: National Nuclear Security Administration, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: aging infrastructure, B&W, B&W Pantex, B&W Y-12, CNS, consolidated contract, Consolidated Nuclear Security, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, contract transition, high explosive, National Nuclear Security Administration, national security, NNSA, NNSA Production Office, NPO, nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear weapons, Pantex Plant, Pantex Site Office, plutonium pits, Steve Erhart, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. nuclear navy, uranium feedstock, uranium storage, workforce, Y-12 National Security Complex, Y-12 Site Office

Haynes, Erhart: ‘Beginning of new era’ at Y-12, Pantex

Posted at 11:49 am July 1, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Jim Haynes

Jim Haynes

The transition to a new federal contractor is complete at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. The new contractor, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, began operating the sites Tuesday, July 1.

Here is a message from NNSA Production Office Manager Steve Erhart and Consolidated Nuclear Security Chief Executive Officer Jim Haynes:

Steve Erhart

Steve Erhart

Today marks the beginning of a new era for the Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex. For the first time, the two largest NNSA nuclear production sites are consolidated under one contract. Whether you are in Texas or Tennessee, we are now one team delivering our national security mission. [Read more…]

Filed Under: National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Amarillo, CNS, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, Jim Haynes, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, nuclear production, Oak Ridge, Pantex Plant, Steve Erhart, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 apprentice program celebrates third graduating class

Posted at 1:33 am March 17, 2014
By Y-12 National Security Complex Leave a Comment

Y-12 Apprentice Graduation Ceremony 2014

Y-12 apprentice graduate Jessica Griffen receives congratulations on achieving her journeyman status as an electrician from husband Gabriel and their four-month-old daughter Berkley. (Photos courtesy B&W Y-12)

The apprentice program at the Y-12 National Security Complex recently celebrated its third graduating class as 27 participants gained their journeyman status. The program was restarted in 2008 after an almost 30-year hiatus, a press release said.

Each graduate spent three to four years with a journeyman and attended between 144 and 246 hours of classroom training each year on his or her own time, usually in the evenings at local union halls.

“This program is a great way to transfer knowledge from our highly skilled workers to the new work force,” said National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office Manager Steve Erhart. “The apprenticeship program has positioned Y-12 for the long-term to ensure our future production capabilities.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: apprentice, Apprentice Program, Atomic Trades and Labor Council, B&W Y-12, Dave Richardson, electricians, HVAC technicians, insulators, journeyman, National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office, pipe fitters, Steve Erhart, welder, Y-12 National Security Complex

NNSA Production Office tops Feds Feed Families campaign goal

Posted at 1:27 pm September 12, 2013
By NNSA Production Office 2 Comments

Second Harvest

NNSA Production Office employees deliver food to the Second Harvest facility in Maryville that serves a multi-county area of East Tennessee.  Shown from left to right are Jim Goss, Julieanne Rendon, Donna Riggs, Rebekah Nwangwa, Ken Rhyne, James Piatek, Mark Sundie, and Steven Wyatt. (Photo courtesy NPO)

Employees of the National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office, or NPO, have donated 17,348 pounds of food as part of the annual U.S. Department of Energy’s “Feds Feed Families” campaign. The campaign, which ended on Sept. 6, surpassed the goal of 17,000 pounds.

“I am extremely proud and moved by the generosity of NPO employees,” said Steve Erhart, NNSA Production Office manager. “Each year, the Feds Feed Families food drive reminds us there are people in our own communities who go to bed hungry. Serving our country starts at home, and that is what this effort is all about.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Amarillo, Broc Carter, Elaine Streno, Feds Feed Families, food, High Plains Food Bank, Maryville, National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office, NNSA Production Office, NPO, Pantex Plant, Second Harvest Food Bank, Steve Erhart, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex

Picture: Acting NNSA administrator visits Y-12 National Security Complex

Posted at 6:12 pm July 25, 2013
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Bruce Held Visits Y-12

Bruce Held, center, acting administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration and acting undersecretary for nuclear security, is pictured above at the Y-12 National Security Complex with NNSA Production Office Manager Steve Erhart, left, and Captain Geoffrey deBeauclair, Held’s military aide. (Submitted photo)

Bruce Held, the acting administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration and acting undersecretary for nuclear security, visited the Y-12 National Security Complex on Thursday.

Held toured the site and conducted an “all hands” meeting at the site’s New Hope Center to talk to federal and contractor employees.

Held is a retired clandestine operations officer of the Central Intelligence Agency, a former national security adviser to President Bill Clinton, former counterintelligence chief at Sandia National Laboratories, and former director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence. [Read more…]

Filed Under: National Nuclear Security Administration, Photos, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: administrator, Bill Clinton, Bruce Held, Central Intelligence Agency, Ernest Moniz, Geoffrey deBeauclair, National Nuclear Security Administration, New Hope Center, NNSA, Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, Sandia National Laboratories, Steve Erhart, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex

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Classifieds

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

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