News

Work with migratory birds nets U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service award nomination

For the third year in a row, the Pantex Plant has been nominated by the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration for a national award in recognition of its research on migratory birds.

Pantex will represent the DOE/NNSA in the competition for the 2014 Presidential Migratory Bird Federal Stewardship Award, which has been administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 2011. Each federal agency is eligible to nominate one project or action conducted by or in partnership with a federal agency that meets the intent and spirit of Executive Order 13186 by focusing on migratory bird conservation.

The Presidential order directs federal agencies to promote research on migratory birds through partnerships, outreach and information sharing. DOE/NNSA typically chooses the nominee each year from all facilities that have migratory bird programs.

“DOE and NNSA nominated Pantex three years in a row for this award, which indicates just how strong our migratory bird program is at Pantex,” said Teresa Robbins, acting assistant manager for Environment, Safety, Health & Quality with the NNSA Production Office (NPO). “We are proud to represent the DOE and NNSA in this competition and proud that our migratory bird conservation efforts have been recognized through this nomination.”

The site’s work to research and protect migratory birds began to evolve in 2002, and over the years has included efforts involving Western Burrowing Owls, Purple Martins and migratory birds that may be affected by wind energy development. Work is proposed and coordinated by James D. Ray, Pantex Plant wildlife biologist, with support from NPO.

Pantex pursued partnerships with multiple educational, governmental and private organizations, including Texas Tech University, the United States Geological Survey’s Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, West Texas A&M University (WTAMU), private landowners, banding site cooperators, York University and the Purple Martin Conservation Association.

This year’s application focused heavily on the research elements of the migratory birds program and the academic and professional output that has resulted from that research. Research on migratory birds at Pantex has contributed to five Master of Science degree theses and has been published in multiple technical journals. Presentations on the research have been made at more than 30 professional meetings, as well as local groups.

Currently, a multifaceted project is evaluating the effects of wind energy development on migratory birds. This program includes a contract with WTAMU and has resulted in the development of a comprehensive literature review on the impacts of wind energy on wildlife, and the initiation of pre- and post-turbine monitoring of migratory birds. This project also involves surveys of plots for wintering and migrating raptors, surveys of plots in different habitat types during the breeding season for birds and nests, along with radio and satellite tracking of Swainson’s hawks.

New research collaborations have provided insights into the migratory patterns of the Swainson’s hawks and the Purple Martins as they migrate from the Texas Panhandle to winter in South America.

Taken together, the different actions involved in the migratory bird program present a picture of a site that is dedicated to exceeding the minimum federal mandates for migratory birds.

“Pantex is really a unique site that provides many excellent opportunities for research into all areas of wildlife and the environment,” Ray said. “We are committed not only to taking care of the environment here at Pantex, but to contributing to wildlife conservation on a larger scale, beyond the borders of the plant.”

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Greg Cunningham
Public Affairs
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Team to represent region at National Science Bowl

After nearly 12 hours of grueling intellectual competition Saturday, a team from Lubbock (Texas) High School edged out the team from Amarillo High School to take top honors at the Pantex High School Science Bowl competition. The Lubbock High team will represent the region at the National Science Bowl in April.

More than 30 teams gathered at West Texas A&M University to test their knowledge of science and math, and to battle it out for a trip to the national competition in Washington D.C.

The Amarillo High team – made up of three sophomores and one freshman – had an excellent competition, moving into the finals without a single loss. The Lubbock High team had to beat another Lubbock team to move into the finals, then beat Amarillo twice for victory in the double elimination competition.

The Lubbock team will be joined at nationals by a team from Panhandle Junior High, which won the middle school competition two weeks ago. Pantex has sponsored the Science Bowl competition in the Amarillo area for 23 years.

Teams from as far away as Lubbock, Higgins to compete for regional title

More than 30 teams of competitors will once again gather at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) for the annual Pantex Science Bowl competition.

This weekend’s event will feature 35 high school teams from 20 schools across the Texas Panhandle and High Plains in a head-to-head competition that will thoroughly test their knowledge of math and science.

“This is the culmination of months of work for these dedicated students,” said Debra Halliday, B&W Pantex Science Bowl coordinator. “It’s amazing to see how much knowledge they bring to the competition every year.”

Around 200 Pantex employees and community volunteers will be on hand to help run the Science Bowl. The competition features teams of four students answering science and math questions in a game show style round-robin format, followed by a double elimination tournament after lunch. The winner of Saturday’s event will be eligible to travel to Washington in April to compete with scores of other teams from across the U.S. for the national title. Last year, Amarillo High School won the regional competition and tested their knowledge in Washington D.C.

In addition to bragging rights and a shot at the national title, the winning team will earn $1,000 for its school’s science program, with $500 and $250 going to the second and third place schools.

This year, the Education Credit Union has joined the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Pantex and WTAMU in sponsoring the event. Science Bowl is the DOE’s longest-running educational outreach program. Science Bowls have been held in this area for 24 years.

The high school round is the second phase of the Science Bowl competition. A team from Panhandle Junior High School won the middle school competition February 8.

Schools participating in this year’s Pantex High School Science Bowl are:

Amarillo High School
Booker High School
Canyon High School
Caprock High School
Dumas High School
Estacado High School
Fort Elliott High School
Friona High School
Hartley High School
Higgins ISD
Highland Park High School
Holy Cross Catholic Academy
Lazbuddie High School
Lubbock High School
New Home ISD
Palo Duro High School
Panhandle High School
Randall High School
Shallowater High School
Spur High School

CONTACT
Greg Cunningham
Public Affairs
Office (806) 477-5140
Pager (806) 345-1560

U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry joined local dignitaries and other visitors gathered at the Pantex Plant Thursday to make their mark on an important wind project at the Plant. The visitors joined NNSA Production Office and B&W Pantex leaders, as well as representatives from project contractor Siemens Government Technologies Inc., in signing one of the massive wind turbine blades that will become part of the Pantex Renewable Energy Project (PREP). When it is complete this spring, PREP will be the largest federally owned wind farm in the U.S. and will provide more than 60 percent of the annual electricity needs for the Plant.

The ceremony provided stakeholders an opportunity to receive an update on the project, as well as get a close-up look at the wind turbines that make up the project. Each blade weights 11 tons and is more than 150 feet long. When completed, the towers will stand over 400 feet tall at the blade tips.

Elected officials visiting the Plant included Thornberry, Texas State Sen. Kel Seliger, Texas State Legislator Four Price, Amarillo Mayor Paul Harpole and Carson County Judge Lewis Powers.

B&W Pantex General Manager John Woolery, center, presents a B&W corporate donation Friday to the United Way of Amarillo and Canyon. United Way Interim Executive Director Jeff Gulde, left, and Campaign Director Stephanie Goins were on hand to receive the gift.

The $57,250 corporate donation supplements more than $650,000 pledged by Pantex employees to United Way for 2013, making Pantex one of the largest supporters of United Way in the Texas Panhandle. Woolery recognized that Pantexans “have big hearts” and are proud to give back to their communities.

The first wind turbine blade is delivered to the site of the Pantex Renewable Energy Project Thursday. Work crews are beginning to erect the first of five wind turbines that will make up the PREP project. When it is completed this spring, PREP will be the largest federally owned wind farm in the country and will provide approximately 60 percent of the average annual electricity need for the Pantex Plant.

HEPF sets bar for project management

Lt. Gen. Tom Bostick, commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), visited Pantex this week to tour the High Explosives Pressing Facility (HEPF). Bostick toured the facility and said he came away impressed, singling out HEPF as an excellent demonstration of what can happen when federal agencies and contractors work together effectively to manage projects. USACE is managing construction in cooperation with NNSA, B&W Pantex and main construction contractor Kiewit Building Group.

Construction on HEPF is approximately 90 percent complete and is on schedule and under budget. When finished, the $65 million project will combine high explosives work from a half dozen older buildings – two dating back to World War II – into one state-of-the-art facility.

Workers at the Pantex High Explosives Pressing Facility this month passed the 85% construction completion mark on construction of the 45,000 square-foot facility, which will combine High Explosives (HE) operations from numerous outdated buildings into one state-of-the-art facility. Completion of the project will help to bolster Pantex’s status as the Department of Energy’s High Explosives Center of Excellence for HE manufacturing.

The roof has been completed, officially enclosing the exterior of the facility, which allows the contractor to continue work inside during inclement weather. The roadway paving around the facility has started, which will allow for all-weather access.

The new state-of-the-art HE presses, which take advantage of advanced isostatic pressing techniques, have been installed. The process equipment has arrived and is being installed. All Blast-Resistant Doors have been installed. Offices have been built and are being painted.

The major remaining work activities include installation of overhead cranes, flooring and mechanical/electrical systems.

Acting NNSA Administrator Bruce Held and NPO Manager Steve Erhart toured the HEPF on November 7th.

Construction of the $65 million facility began in late 2011 and is expected to be complete in May, 2014. B&W Pantex has begun pre start up activities to meet the CD-4 (approval to start operations) date of September 2016.

The construction effort is being managed by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and the design effort/plant support is being led by B&W Pantex with a design subcontract to CH2M Hill.

Officers run more than 50 miles to raise awareness

For the third year in a row, Pantex Security Police Officers Byron Logan and Randy Stokes took to the area's roads and highways to raise awareness of the hungry in the Texas Panhandle. Logan and Stokes biked and ran and biked more than 50 miles Friday during the annual Run Against Hunger, gathering food and donations for the High Plains Food Bank.

Pantexans to run/bike 65 miles to raise awareness

---- Note: Last week’s weather postponed the run. It has been rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 13 ----

Pantexans again will be hitting the road Friday in an effort to raise awareness about hunger in the Texas Panhandle in the third annual Pantex Run Against Hunger. This year the route will be even longer, running from White Deer to Amarillo for a 65-mile trip.

Byron Logan and Randy Stokes, officers in the Safeguards & Security Division at Pantex, will again embark on a long-distance trek through parts of the Panhandle, ending at the High Plains Food Bank, 815 Ross Street, Amarillo.

Starting in White Deer, the pair will bike on Highway 60 through Panhandle and over to Highland Park Schools, where they will begin an approximately 20-mile run to the Food Bank. Other Pantexans are expected to join them along the route, some during the bike ride and others during the run. They will be followed by a Bearcat, which is an armored vehicle used by Security Police Officers at Pantex.

“Randy and I wanted to do something to help people in our community who are struggling,” Logan said. “We run long distances, and we wanted to use that skill to raise awareness about hunger in our area.”

The runners’ progress will be posted on http://twitter.com/PantexPlant.

The Run Against Hunger began in 2011 with a 30-mile run from Pantex to the Food Bank’s food drive at United Market Street. Last year the pair added a 40-mile bike ride, visiting with students at Panhandle and Highland Park schools.

The food bank is continuing to accept donations of food and cash. The food bank can take a donation of $5 and stretch it into $50 of food. The top needs this year are green beans, canned soups, canned mixed vegetables, bagged rice and sweet peas.

Any media outlet wishing to cover this effort is welcome to film along the route of the run. They plan to begin the running portion at approximately noon running west on U.S. Highway 60, south on Lakeside Drive and west on the Interstate 40 access road into Amarillo and to the Food Bank. They expect to arrive at the Food Bank at approximately 3 p.m., where they will be available for interviews. For updates on where the run is along the route, please contact Laura Bailey at 223-8211.

B&W Pantex manages and operates the Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. B&W Pantex is also the proud recipient of the DOE’s Voluntary Protection Program Superior STAR status for safety excellence. The company was also named one of America’s safest companies by Occupational Hazards magazine and has received numerous awards from the National Safety Council.

CONTACT
Greg Cunningham
Public Affairs
Office (806) 477-5140
Pager (806) 345-1560