This month's edition includes information on past and future events and industry news.

Thank you for all you do in helping build the community around us.

Nick Merrigan, Chairman, Internal Committee; and

Trevor Williams, Chairman, External Community Committee

Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on our roads. Cell phone use — specifically, texting, talking, and social media use — has become the most common distraction. Other risky actions include adjusting the radio or GPS, applying makeup, eating and drinking. By driving distracted, you’re robbing yourself of seconds that you may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash.

In 2021, distracted driving killed 3,522 people. April, which is national Distracted Driving Awareness Month, is a good time to regroup and take responsibility for the choices we make when we’re on the road. Follow these safety tips for a safe ride:

Need to send a text? Pull over and park your car in a safe location.

Designate your passenger as your “designated texter” to respond to calls or messages.

Do not scroll through apps while driving. Struggling not to text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

During a portion of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, from April 3 through 10, you may see increased law enforcement on the roadways as part of the national paid media campaign U Drive. U Text. U Pay. This campaign reminds drivers of the deadly dangers and the legal consequences – including fines – of texting behind the wheel.

Remind your friends and family: If you’re in the driver’s seat, it’s the only thing you should be doing. No distractions.

If your driver is texting or otherwise distracted, tell them to stop and focus on the road.

If you do not want to be included in this section of the newsletter, please send an email to Nick Merrigan.

Everyone here at Curtiss-Wright would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Software Engineer, Bradley Barletta. Below is a bit about him!

If you have been in the Wright Place Conference Room recently, you may have noticed that it has received major upgrades to the video and audio equipment.

As a joint effort, IT and Facilities replaced the outdated projector and Bluetooth speaker with a new Logitech Conferencing Suite. Since installation, the teleconferencing equipment has been used in a handful of client meetings, as well as supporting the Syteline transitional meetings.

Within the next few months, all conference rooms in our Idaho Falls building will receive these same updates - next up are Lost Trail and Targhee.

Our next MoveSpring challenge is coming up... Step Into Spring!

The challenge will start on April 24th and end on May 7th. This challenge will be a virtual individual race where each participant is working to reaching the end of the virtual racetrack by the end of the challenge. Attempt to move 35 miles in 14 days! Additionally, you can set a personal active minutes goal to achieve 8 times in the challenge.

To join MoveSpring and the Step Into Spring Challenge, follow this link.

The Chukars' opening day for their 2023 season is quickly approaching - May 20th! To see their full schedule, click here.

We are pleased to confirm that we are continuing to offer tickets to employees on a first-come, first-served basis. As we get closer to the start of the season, you will be able to request tickets - Keep a look out for more information in your email soon.

Below is a preview of our program ad that will be displayed on the digital screens in the stadium!

The College of Eastern Idaho's Great Race for Education is coming up on July 21st!

The Great Race is an annual fundraiser that is a major source of funding for CEI Student scholarships and resources.

Soon we will be asking for volunteers to participate. There will be options for those that want to run, and those that don't - Stay tuned for more information this summer.

The week of April 3rd, PIMC attended the INL Industry Days for Engineering & Technical Support.

Idaho National Laboratory staff exhibited presentations on various topics including Industry Engagement, Contracting Process, and Project Success.

The presentations were followed up with a vendor fair, where CW was able to engage with INL area directors, program and project managers.

Pictured, Left to Right: John Knezevicv Valerie Christensen, Sean Fuller

In a contest that truly lived up to its name, the annual March Madness bracket challenge concluded on Monday, April 3^rd. The tournament consists of 64 Men’s College Basketball teams that play in a single-elimination tournament. The field of 64 shrinks to 32, then 16, 8, etc. until the University of Connecticut won it all on 4/3. This year was different than any year in recent memory in that all 34 participants in the PIMC bracket challenge failed to pick a single winner in the Elite 8, Final Four, and Championship 😂

After the dust had settled, Teagan Boulier emerged victorious, distinguishing himself as the best bracket master within PIMC.

“The Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced last Friday the issuance of 2022 assessment letters to operators of the nation’s commercial nuclear reactors, noting that of the 93 units in the agency’s Reactor Oversight Process, 87 “reached the highest performance category in safety and security,” known as Licensee Response.”

“Reprimanded reactors” include those at Calvert Cliffs, Davis-Besse, Peach Bottom, Quad Cities, VC Summer, and Waterford

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“Constellation Energy announced that its Nine Mile Point Nuclear Plant in Oswego, New York, has begun producing hydrogen at its demonstration-scale clean hydrogen production facility, using 1.25 MW of energy per hour to produce 560 kilograms of clean hydrogen a day.”

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“Energy Harbor’s three nuclear power plants – Davis-Besse and Perry in Northern Ohio, as well as Beaver Valley in Pennsylvania – will become part of a newly-formed Vistra subsidiary called “Vistra Vision,” according to the release.”

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“The high-profile $2.2 billion project was initially targeted for the federal Hanford nuclear site near Richland or a Grant County location, but is now headed for the Gulf Coast.”

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“The license for Unit 1 is due to expire next year and Unit 2 is set to shut in 2025. With the NRC decision, the existing licenses will remain in effect if PG&E submits a renewal application by Dec. 31. If its license is renewed, Diablo Canyon may continue to operate for up to 20 years beyond the current licenses.”

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“The first award cycle of the US DOE's [CNC] Program limited eligibility to owners or operators of nuclear power reactors that had announced intentions to retire within the four-year award period, but the second round is also open to owners or operators of nuclear reactors that ceased operations after 15 November 2021.”

Valerie Christensen