Sandia National Laboratories is adopting a permanent hybrid workforce, increasing the number of telecommuters and remote workers across the organization. Sandia also plans to establish several hubs around the country that eventually will allow classified work to be done at secure locations other than those in New Mexico and California.
The move toward remote work was sparked by the pandemic, but over time has proven not only efficient but a preferred option for some employees, the lab said this week in a press release. As of January, Sandia had approximately 1,700 full-time telecommuters, 1,100 part-time telecommuters and 1,200 remote workers spread out around the country. That is about 30% of Sandia’s workforce.
“In a time where most companies are figuring out how to do business in a hybrid realm, Sandia cannot afford to not follow suit,” said Matthew-Ryan Morrell, manager of strategic site planning. “This offering is an added benefit to the workforce and helps us tap into job markets we had only dreamed of.”
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Infrastructure recently recognized seven teams from the Pantex Plant in Amarillo and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with Excellence Awards.
The winning teams’ work impacts day-to-day infrastructure tasks integral to serving the nation, Pantex said in a statement. Three teams at Pantex and four at Y-12 were recognized for various construction and maintenance projects.
“Safety, a reliable infrastructure, and efficient operations are the heartbeat of our sites,” CNS President and CEO Rich Tighe said. “These award-winning projects highlight the outstanding dedication to the safe modernization of our infrastructure and ultimately to our important national security mission.”
Dennis Scott, senior vice president, general counsel, chief compliance officer and corporate secretary of Centrus Energy announced his retirement, effective August 11.
Scott’s decision to retire is not the result of any dispute or disagreement with the company, company management or its board of directors, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Scott will be replaced by Shahram Ghasemian, who currently serves as the senior assistant general counsel and director of legal affairs and corporate compliance.
On February 10, 2022, DOE updated its organizational structure, which changed certain titles and reporting duties within the Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security (EHSS).
Specifically, DOE has changed the title of the Associate Under Secretary for Environment, Health, Safety and Security to the Director of the Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security.
Published in the Federal Register on June 26, the rule also updates the titles of two DOE Under Secretaries. The Under Secretary for Science and Energy and Under Secretary for Management and Performance are being changed to the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation and Under Secretary for Infrastructure, respectively.
The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a think tank thank co-founded by media mogul Ted Turner that counts former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen among its board members, has issued a statement on one of the most pressing issues of the moment: in what order should “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” be viewed when they are both released July 21.
“Over the last few months, a great debate has emerged,” NTI said in a statement posted to its Twitter page on Thursday. “It has touched all corners of culture – film, academia, media and meme – and now, global security. As a leader in the movement to build systemic solutions to the nuclear and biological threats that imperil humanity, we feel compelled to add our voice to the chorus.
“After careful analysis and consideration, NTI has concluded that the only sensible “Barbenheimer” viewing order is ‘Oppenheimer’ first, followed by ‘Barbie.’ This should include a significant intermission after ‘Oppenheimer’ for the viewer to recover physically and emotionally, and cleanse their radiated palate for the delicate, less-explosive fare to follow. This will also allow the viewer time to think deeply about the messages of the film and the existential threats that nuclear weapons still pose to our world. Only then can ‘Barbie’ be appreciated in its florescent fullness.”
