Lockdown ended at Pantex

After a three hour lockdown Pantex employees can now return to work.

We just finished talking with Pantex officials who say everything is fine. The plant went on lockdown at about eight this morning.

After Pantex employees conveyed information of a security threat. They would not specify what the nature of the threat was but they did deem it a security issue.

Officials say they are completing their sweeps of the plant and will begin phasing back into operation.

We are told this is not terribly unusual to shut down operation due to security but they say this has taken a bit longer which drew more attention to the matter. 

PANTEX NEWS RELEASE

 Contact: (806) 345-6616 Release # 2                    January 15, 2010  TIME 10:00 AM

Pantex Continues its Response   

• "Pantex is responding to a concern reported by Pantex employees," said Steve Erhart, Pantex Site Office Manager. "Pantex Plant security is in control of the situation. Plant Management is monitoring the ongoing response. "
• Plant Security is responding to this situation according to the procedures and guidelines that are in place. Once the situation is resolved, Pantex employees will return to their duties. We anticipate this will be resolved quickly. 
• Pantex's response effort is being conducted by the Emergency Response Organization, a highly trained group of employees with detailed knowledge of plant operations and emergency response procedures. These employees represent plant functions such as security, logistics, safety, medical response, radiological assessment, firefighting, operations and public information.
• The emergency responders' top priorities are the safety of the public, workers and the environment, as well as ensuring security is maintained.

Public Information

Public information for this event is currently being coordinated by the Pantex Public Affairs Organization, which will release additional information as it becomes available.  Public Affairs will notify the media regarding scheduling interviews and/or news conferences.

Background Information

The U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration Pantex Plant is the nation's only nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility.  Located about 17 miles northeast of Amarillo, Texas, the facility is managed and operated by B&W Pantex. Pantex's missions include assembly and disassembly of nuclear weapons; maintenance, modification and evaluation of nuclear weapons; interim storage of plutonium pits from dismantled nuclear weapons; and fabrication of high explosive components for nuclear weapons. More information about Pantex is available on the web at www.pantex.com.

PANTEX NEWS RELEASE

 Contact: (806) 345-6616 Release # 1                   January 15, 2010  TIME 9:00AM

Pantex Activates Emergency Response Organization 

• The Pantex Plant has activated its Emergency Response Organization to respond to a potential security situation. The event occurred at approximately 8:00am.
• The Plant is in a lockdown status and the situation is being evaluated in order to facilitate security actions. Pantex employees are sheltered-in-place.
• Pantex's response effort is being conducted by the Emergency Response Organization, a highly trained group of employees with detailed knowledge of plant operations and emergency response procedures. These employees represent plant functions such as security, logistics, safety, medical response, radiological assessment, firefighting, operations and public information.
• The emergency responders' top priorities are the safety of the public, workers and the environment, as well as ensuring security is maintained.
•  Pantex is also in the process of establishing communication links with various local, state and federal government agencies that will work with Pantex and communicate with the public during the response to this event.

Public Information

Public information for this event is currently being coordinated by the Pantex Public Affairs Organization, which will release additional information as it becomes available.  Public Affairs will notify the media regarding scheduling interviews and/or news conferences.

Background Information

The U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration Pantex Plant is the nation's only nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility.  Located about 17 miles northeast of Amarillo, Texas, the facility is managed and operated by B&W Pantex. Pantex's missions include assembly and disassembly of nuclear weapons; maintenance, modification and evaluation of nuclear weapons; interim storage of plutonium pits from dismantled nuclear weapons; and fabrication of high explosive components for nuclear weapons. More information about Pantex is available on the web at www.pantex.com.