BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE WINS IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY CONTRACT

The U.S. Department of Energy announced today that the Battelle Energy Alliance has been chosen to operate the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in eastern Idaho.

The 10-year management and operations contract is valued at approximately $4.8 billion. INL is a multi-program laboratory employing about 3,000 people.

The Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) is led by Battelle and consists of several team members, including BWX Technologies, Inc., Washington Group International, the Electric Power Research Institute, and an alliance of university collaborators. A national university consortium will be led by MIT and includes such nuclear engineering universities as New Mexico, North Carolina State, Ohio State, and Oregon State as well as a regional collaboration with the major Idaho universities-Boise State, Idaho State, and the University of Idaho.

"We are tremendously proud to be entrusted with the responsibility of operating the Idaho National Laboratory," said Battelle President and CEO Carl F. Kohrt. "INL is an outstanding laboratory and tremendous national asset. In our vision of the future, INL will be synonymous with international nuclear leadership."

Kohrt said the BEA team members have established several priorities for operating the laboratory.

  • Strong Laboratory Leadership - The alliance has proposed John Grossenbacher as the new lab director. Grossenbacher has been a senior vice president for nuclear science and technology at Battelle.
  • Excellence in Science and Technology - The laboratory will be defined by a commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and creativity.
  • Excellence in Operations - High quality operations and strong environment, safety and health programs.
  • Excellence in Community Service - The laboratory will be a valued and trusted community asset and partner.

"BWXT is excited to continue our long term relationship with the Idaho National Laboratory, especially in this critical time period when our efforts can contribute to the long term success of the site and nuclear power", stated John Fees, President and COO of BWXT. "We are committed to working closely with team members, the site employees, and the community to achieve the vision that the Department of Energy has developed with congressional and industry leaders."

"As an Idaho-based company for more than 90 years and a contractor at the Idaho National Laboratory site for over a half-century, we're thrilled to be able to continue our involvement with this important scientific cornerstone to our state and nation," said Stephen G. Hanks, Washington Group President and Chief Executive Officer. "As part of the Battelle Energy Alliance team, we look forward to working with the Department of Energy, the Idaho Falls community, and team members to help maintain INL's international nuclear leadership."

"This is a wonderful opportunity to enhance the collaboration between the Department of Energy and the electricity enterprise," said Ted Marston, EPRI's Chief Technology Officer. "We believe this enhanced collaboration will greatly benefit society."

BWX Technologies employs almost 11,000 staff and supplies nuclear operations services and products to the U.S. government and commercial clients. The company manages complex, high-consequence nuclear and national security operations and is a principal supplier of nuclear components and advanced energy products.

Washington Group International, based in Boise, Idaho, provides integrated engineering, construction, and management solutions for businesses and governments worldwide. With approximately 27,000 employees at work in over 40 states and more than 30 countries, the company provides professional, scientific, management, and development services in more than two dozen major markets.

EPRI is an independent, non-profit center for public interest energy and environmental research. EPRI's collaborative science and technology development program now spans nearly every area of power generation, delivery, and use. More than 1,000 energy organizations and public institutions in 40 countries draw on EPRI's global network of technical and business expertise. EPRI's members represent over 90% of the electricity generated in the United States. Approximately one-third of EPRI's annual research and development funding is devoted to its nuclear program. Seventy-five percent of the world's 438 operating commercial nuclear units participate in EPRI's program.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle is a non-profit science and technology organization that develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for clients. A key part of Battelle's $3 billion-a-year business is the management and co-management of laboratories, including the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Including those labs, Battelle oversees 16,000 staff members.

For more information about the Battelle Energy Alliance or Battelle, contact Media Relations Manager Mark Berry at (614) 424-5544 or at berrym@battelle.org, or National Media Relations Manager Katy Delaney at (410) 306-8638 or at delaneyk@battelle.org.