KANSAS CITY, MO – Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz was joined by the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, United States Air Force (Ret), U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver II and Vicky Hartzler, and other local officials today to officially dedicate the new National Security Campus in Kansas City.
As the manufacturer of non-nuclear components for the U.S. nuclear stockpile, the Kansas City National Security Campus is part of the Department’s larger nuclear security enterprise, which is responsible for stockpile stewardship, nuclear weapons dismantlements, and nuclear nonproliferation programs. The more cost-effective, energy-efficient National Security Campus is delivering a 25 percent reduction in operating costs and more than 50 percent reduction in the infrastructure footprint from 3.2 million square feet to 1.5 million square feet. Construction and relocation activities were completed ahead of schedule and under budget.
“Ensuring a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent without underground testing is among the Department of Energy’s most important core missions,” said Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz at the dedication ceremony. “The successful construction of the National Security Campus here in Kansas City is part of our broader effort to transform our Cold War era infrastructure into a 21st century nuclear security enterprise. This transformation will enable us to continue to fulfill our stockpile stewardship commitments while we pursue further reductions, continue to work to prevent nuclear proliferation and terrorism, and support broader national security missions.”
The move to the new 1.5 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art, energy-efficient National Security Campus from the nearby Bannister Federal Complex was one of nation’s largest industrial moves, requiring about 3,000 truckloads of heavy equipment and approximately 40,000 crates.
The $687 million new campus now houses about 2,600 employees and consists of manufacturing, laboratory, office, and warehouse space. With a footprint reduction of more than 1.6 million square feet, the new building reduces energy consumption by more than 50 percent and is one of the first Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold manufacturing campuses. The facility is operated under a new ownership model for the DOE, which leverages a public-private partnership alongside the General Services Administration. Overall, the new campus will save the government more than $100 million annually.
The Department of Energy will remain responsible for, and committed to, the environmental monitoring and remediation of the Bannister Federal Complex as the city looks to repurpose and redevelop the facilities and land.
