NNSA-LA Field Office Manager Ted Wyka

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Despite the significant changes being churned out at rapid speed in the federal government, NNSA-Los Alamos Field Office Manager Ted Wyka assured Los Alamos County Council that within the field office and in Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), it is business as usual.

Wyka made his report to County Council during its work session March 18.

When Councilor Beverly Neal-Clinton asked if any of the federal initiatives will affect LANL’s role, Wyka said no.

“I think the work that we’re doing …the pure science, research, development is still going strong at the lab as well as our national security work … (there’s) a lot of support and the budget reflects that, not only for production of pits (but) for detonators – some of the production work – as well as being the plutonium center of excellence … so our mission work is just increasing, higher demand and I think that’s reflected by the number of personnel … (plus there’s) a lot of construction to make an enduring facility for many, many decades to be able to sustain the 30 pits per year … plus all the other critical mission work … we don’t see any slow down or reduction in the budget to support those programs…,” he said.

Here are the highlights of Wkya’s presentation:

Budget

Wyka said during the week of March 10, a year-long continuing resolution was passed. This, he explained, closes books on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the laboratory and gives certainty to its deliverables through at least September.

“After a quick review of the legislation, I did not see any significant issues in the lab’s funding allocations and there were no major reductions to their key programs,” Wyka said. “So, I believe they will be on solid fiscal ground for this year.”

Pit Production

With regards to pit production, Wyka said the NNSA has a goal to manufacture a minimum of 30 pits per year at LANL by 2028; this is in addition to the pits being manufactured at the Savannah River Site.

He added that the NNSA awarded Triad a 91 percent performance score for a variety of performance improvements in the delivery of their first war reserve production unit.

“That was a really big accomplishment,” Wyka said.

Personnel

For hiring, Wyka said the lab’s primary focus is switching away from growth and more towards mission execution in developing a pathway for workforce integration.

“For 2025, the lab is projecting to hire over 1,000 people,” he said. “That number will replace average attrition, which is about 900 per year and over 100 additional employees.”

At the federal level, Wyka said the Los Alamos Field Office is in a hiring freeze and lost nine people to the deferred resignation program.

“The Los Alamos Field Office is carrying out our important oversight responsibilities and now have to relook at lower priority activities,” he said. “The Field Office team is committed and willing to do what it takes to succeed. I am proud of their resiliency.”

Operational Safety

Wyka said the lab strives for safety and compliance activities. For instance, he said that LANL recently passed its New Mexico Environmental Department Resource Conservation and Recovery Act inspection with no violations.

“Which is pretty incredible for an operation of their size,” he said.

In addition, he noted that the success the lab has had in establishing pit production couldn’t have been achieved without improving operational safety.

Electric Cooperative Agreement

The laboratory’s and Los Alamos County’s Electric Cooperative Agreement (ECA) expires June 30, Wyka said. The Los Alamos Field Office worked with the County’s Department of Public Utilities to develop a statement of work for a new contract. The procurement package was submitted to NNSA for review and work is underway on a six-month extension to ensure sufficient review and obtain necessary approvals, Wyka said.

Rendija Canyon Land Transfer

Work continues to transfer land in Rendija Canyon, Wyka said. The NNSA is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop an interagency agreement to estimate the cost of additional clearance of unexploded ordinances. The cost estimate will include a survey of approximately 28 acres. This is associated with a proposed recreational vehicle park and utilities and road right of ways. He added that the NNSA is in the process of scoping the work for the interagency agreement with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Sitewide Environmental Impact Statement

Wyka reported that a sitewide environmental impact statement to assess the impacts of future operations across the lab is being conducted. The draft has been published in the electronic reading room and public hearings were held. He added that NNSA granted an extension for public comments until April 10.

Electric Power Upgrade Project

Wyka touched on the lab’s electrical power capacity upgrade project. He said by 2027 the existing electric lines that serve the lab and the County will reach capacity. Afterwards, power demands will be exceeded.

The upgrade project will include a new power line and internal distribution upgrades, he said. Wyka added that a memorandum of agreement is being developed with participating Pueblos and tribes along with the Advisory Council on Historical Preservation, the New Mexico State Historical Preservation Office and the U.S. Forest Service to address adverse effects.

Waste Shipping

Shipping waste remains a priority of the state, the Department of Energy, the NNSA and the NNSA Los Alamos Field Office, Wyka said. A total of 37 shipments is being projected for this fiscal year, “and we are pleased with the lab’s performance in transporting waste off the hill,” Wyka said.

He added the partnership with EM-LA continues to support cleanup of Area G and he looks forward to reaching milestones.

Wildfire Preparation

Wildfire mitigation continues, Wyka said. This is a year-round effort, he added. Thinning in Rendija Canyon was completed late fall, which will reduce wildfire risk to Barranca Mesa. Thinning is ongoing in the TA-72 firing range as well as hazard tree mitigation in Los Alamos Canyon and other utility corridor work and painting power poles with fire retardant paint.

Areas that require maintenance will be completed mid-April, Wyka said. All wildfire equipment is ready for use and agency interface continues with the Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD), the U.S. Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. Furthermore, he said the TA-49 joint fire operation center is staffed and the type 3 helicopter will be on site at TA-49 on April 14. Communications and integration with the LAFD Wildland Division is ongoing.

Wyka added that the Fiscal Year 2025 annual fire drill with LAFD and other agencies was completed Feb. 12, and the annual wildland interagency briefing will be held in April.

Wyka reported that the fire department cooperative agreement continues to ensure protection of lab and the community.

“Our partnership has been very successful and County staff attended a cooperative agreement working group meeting on Jan. 30 … (there was a) great discussion by the group on staffing needs for fire response at the lab,” he said.