The Analytical Chemistry Facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex is reportedly in good shape for the near future, thanks to a $10 million, yearlong facelift.
The National Nuclear Security Administration said Thursday the project was completed ahead of schedule and according to budget.
Building 9995, which houses the plant’s chemistry labs, was built in 1957 and was showing its age. The refurbishment project was supposed to improve the lab capabilities and add to the reliability of the missions in place there.
According to the NNSA, the analysis work is an important part of the weapons mission at the Oak Ridge plant.
“Y-12 scientists working in Building 9995 analyze impurity levels to ensure the materials destined for nuclear weapons components or naval reactor fuel are of suitably high quality,” the NNSA said. “They also analyze soil and groundwater samples for hazardous contaminants and characterize the site’s waste output to ensure regulatory compliance.”
Reports indicated Tim Driscoll, the uranium program manager at NNSA headquarters, had OK’d $5 million for the rehab of the Y-12 labs, but that was reportedly contingent on Consolidated Nuclear Security – the government’s managing contractor at the site – finding an equal amount from its operating budget to do the work. Ellen Boatner, a spokesman for CNS, said the contractor raised part of the money by deferring other operations and using cost savings from projects that were completed under budget.
According to a news release from the NNSA’s Production Office, the project included improvements to the building’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.
