Pantex, Y-12 honored as leaders in sustainable electronics procurement

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Consolidated Nuclear Security’s Sustainability and Stewardship team was recently honored for their commitment to sustainable purchasing at Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Amarillo, Texas— Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) has been recognized as a 2024 EPEAT Purchaser Award winner, celebrating leaders in sustainable electronics procurement. The award comes from the Global Electronics Council (GEC), the non-profit organization that manages the EPEAT ecolabel.

CNS operates the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee for the National Nuclear Security Administration. EPEAT allows the two sites to efficiently address the lifecycle impacts of the electronics purchases, including computers, displays, printers, copiers, network equipment, mobile phones, servers, photovoltaic modules, inverters, and televisions.

Recognized for purchases in four categories

Pantex and Y-12 were both recognized for purchasing sustainable electronic products in four categories. This is the fourth consecutive year Pantex has been recognized, and the eighth year for Y-12.

As shown in the infographic prepared by GEC, Pantex realized a cost savings in excess of $60,000 for purchasing sustainable electronic products. With these purchases, greenhouse gases equivalent to taking 17 typical passenger cars off the road for a year, and the energy savings is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 10 average U.S. households.

Also shown, Y-12’s purchases with a cost savings in excess of $160,000. These purchases reduced greenhouse gases equivalent to taking 192 typical passenger vehicles off the road for a year. The energy saved is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 278 average U.S. households.

Reducing environmental impact

“Knowing our sustainability efforts make a significant difference in the environmental impact of our operations is the ultimate reward,” said CNS Sustainability and Stewardship Manager Jan Jackson. “Having our efforts validated by the Global Electronics Council helps assure our communities that we are making progress in sustainability and stewardship of the sites.”

By using EPEAT in purchasing contracts, vendors are required to only provide electronics that meet strict sustainability criteria. These products are more energy efficient, less toxic, longer lasting, and easier to recycle and also address labor and human rights issues along the entire supply chain. Buying these sustainable products minimizes the environmental impact of operations for both sites as they support their national security missions.

As shown in this infographic, the Pantex Plant realized savings in excess of $60,000 by purchasing sustainable electronic products.

As shown in this infographic, Y-12 National Security realized a cost savings of more than $160,000 by purchasing sustainable products.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; 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) 573.6032
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pxy12.doe.gov