The National Nuclear Security Administration’s nuclear weapons assembly hub in Texas was scheduled for more or less back to normal operations this week after asking non-essential personnel to remain home for most of last week during Texas’ disastrous deep freeze.
“Pantex operations are back to normal schedule today,” a spokesperson for the Bechtel National-led plant prime, Consolidated Nuclear Security, wrote in an email Monday morning.
The plant’s official Twitter account put out the same message Monday morning, reminding returning workers that COVID-19 protocols remain in effect at the facility.
Pantex operations are as normally scheduled for Feb. 22. As you return, remember that answering the COVID screening questionnaire, performing temperature checks, wearing masks, and practicing social distancing are required & protect not only yourself, but your coworkers & family.
— Pantex Plant (@PantexPlant) February 22, 2021
After sustained sub-zero temperatures last week, weather forecasts for the Amarillo area called for highs in the 50s on Monday.
Pantex’s essential nuclear-weapons work continued during last week’s record-breaking cold snap. The plant declined to comment last week about whether its electrical, information and plumbing systems escaped the freeze unscathed, saying only that “mission essential activities are safe and secure.”
However, Pantex did dial back its energy consumption at the request of local utilities that rushed to comply with a Texas State of Emergency declaration, the plant said. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas on Friday said it was no longer asking customers to monitor their power use.
There has been blame to go around after the deadly and destructive cold spell, from the fragility of the state’s utilities and grid to the way Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and President Joe Biden (D) responded to the unprecedented weather event.
