The importance of partnership to complete construction of the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in support of enduring and sustainable nuclear deterrence was on display during a Deliver 2032 banner signing ceremony with the Augusta Building and Construction Trades Council on Nov. 6.

Representatives from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), SRS managing and operating contractor Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), Construction Management subcontractor Fluor Federal Services, and other subcontractors supporting the SRPPF project were on hand during the show of support as leaders with the Trades Council signed a Deliver 2032 banner at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union hall in downtown Augusta.

“As the NNSA invests in modernizing our nation’s essential infrastructure supporting the Nuclear Security Enterprise, SRS must deliver the SRPPF project by 2032,” said Dennis Carr, SRNS president and chief executive officer. “Shifts in our global nuclear landscape have made SRS a key player in strengthening the nuclear deterrent to keep our nation, partners and allies safe. Now more than ever, our nation’s nuclear posture must remain strong and resilient. Skilled trades workers are essential to reaching our milestones on our path to pit production, and I appreciate you being here today.”

The construction of the SRPPF complex is one of the largest infrastructure projects happening in the nation. In 2022, SRNS signed a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the Trades Council in support of workforce needs. More than 4,000 craft and staff employees are expected to support construction during the life of the project.

“The Augusta Building and Construction Trades Council has supported the Savannah River Site and its mission for decades,” said Jeff Britt, president of the Trades Council. “Our local union leaders are here today to sign this banner and show their continued support and dedication to this important project.”

Also signing the banner after the union reps were leaders from NNSA, SRNS, Fluor and other subcontractors supporting the project. The signed banner symbolizing the site’s commitment to project completion will be displayed in the SRPPF craft area onsite.

The SRPPF complex is being constructed through repurposing an unfinished concrete structure with more than 400,000 square feet of available Hazard Category-2 space, which will meet pit production requirements. Repurposing this facility allows NNSA to make use of an existing seismically-qualified structure, with numerous supporting facilities and existing SRS services and infrastructure, such as security, fire protection and emergency response.

Once construction is complete, SRPPF will support the U.S. nuclear stockpile by producing plutonium pits, which are components in a nuclear weapon. NNSA will manufacture plutonium pits at the quantities needed to support military requirements using a two-site strategy. SRPPF will provide robust, large-scale production of plutonium pits in strategic resiliency with the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.

“We're excited that a new front of construction is beginning with the SRPPF project,” said Siva Nadarajah, Fluor deputy project director. “But for the purpose of today's ceremony, I suggest that the principle of teamwork is on ample display. With teamwork, collaboration and transparency, we will deliver in 2032.”