Nuclear Furloughs Hit Texas Plant, Stirring Concern Across Oklahoma
The ongoing government shutdown has forced layoffs of 1,400 employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), including those at the Pantex nuclear weapons plant near Amarillo, Texas — a key site for the nation’s nuclear stockpile and a facility closely tied to Oklahoma’s energy and security network.
Shutdown Triggers Major Layoffs
Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed Monday that the NNSA began implementing furloughs this week, ordering some workers to stay home as the agency ran out of available funding.
The cuts strike deep at Pantex, where critical maintenance, assembly, and safety operations are performed for the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The Amarillo plant employs a large number of Oklahomans who commute from the Panhandle region, meaning the furloughs ripple directly into nearby Oklahoma communities.
Key Nuclear Project Completed Early
Earlier this year, Wright announced the Pantex team had completed assembly of the first B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb — nearly a year ahead of schedule. The achievement marked one of the fastest weapon development efforts since the Cold War, demonstrating the facility’s efficiency and technical strength…