Energy Secretary Abraham Certifies Savannah River Technology Center As New Department of Energy National Laboratory

5/7/2004

From: Joe Davis, 202-586-4940, or Chris Kielich, 202-586-5806, both of the U.S. Department of Energy

AIKEN, S.C., May 7 -- Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham today certified the Savannah River Technology Center (SRTC), located at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Savannah River Site, as the Savannah River National Laboratory.

Secretary Abraham was joined by Governor Mark Sanford, Senator Lindsey Graham and Congressmen Gresham Barrett (S.C.) and Max Burns (Ga.) at the certification event at the Savannah River Site.

"President Bush and I are proud of the scientific and technical work ongoing at the Department of Energy's national laboratories," Secretary Abraham said. "And today, we are even more proud to designate this new laboratory and make it a full partner in the critical missions performed by DOE facilities."

The SRTC began operations in 1951 to provide research and development support for the department's nuclear facilities complex and national defense. As in the past, the Savannah River National Laboratory's work will continue on waste processing, environmental remediation, non-proliferation technologies and national security projects.

Today, the laboratory has an annual operating budget of $132 million, with the majority of resources devoted to projects supporting the department's Office of Environmental Management and National Nuclear Security Administration. Other projects include work for the U.S. Army, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Environmental Protection Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Westinghouse Savannah River Company operates the Savannah River National Laboratory, employing more than 750 individuals including chemists, material scientists, mechanical, metallurgical, nuclear, electrical and chemical engineers.