The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO DR. MARK PETERS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Senate section on pages S6720 on Nov. 16, 2020.
The Department oversees energy policies and is involved in how the US handles nuclear programs. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department's misguided energy regulations have caused large losses to consumers for decades.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO DR. MARK PETERS
Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, along with my colleague Senator Mike Crapo, I rise today to honor our friend Dr. Mark Peters. Dr. Peters, who led the Idaho National Lab INL--for 5 extraordinary years, will be stepping down from his position as director of the INL to pursue a new role with Battelle Energy Alliance.
Throughout his long and distinguished tenure at the INL, our national laboratories, and other highly respected research institutions, Dr. Peters has earned a reputation as a leading voice in the U.S. nuclear community. He is highly respected by Congress, the administration, industry, and stakeholders because of his knowledge and his engaging and inclusive style. Simply put, Dr. Peters is a giant in the nuclear industry. He has served as a senior advise to the U.S. Department of Energy on nuclear energy matters and as a fellow of the American Nuclear Society, a prestigious recognition for his outstanding accomplishments in nuclear science and technology.
As INL director, Mark led the State's fifth largest employer and skillfully managed its team of more than 4,000 scientists, engineers, and support staff at our country's premiere nuclear, cybersecurity, and scientific research laboratory. Thanks to his leadership, the Lab is thriving and its future is bright. It would be difficult to list every one of Mark's many accomplishments at the Lab, but there are several key achievements that have propelled the INL to new heights.
Mark played a pivotal role in getting the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act signed into law. He also succeeded in bringing the National Reactor Innovation Center to Idaho, ensuring that the Lab will continue to lead the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactor designs well into the future.
Furthermore, Dr. Peters was instrumental in growing the mission of the Lab. Mark invested time and energy into making the INL a world leader in industrial control systems cybersecurity to match its well-
established reputation for nuclear energy. This research arm has helped ensure the safety and security of our Nation's critical infrastructure while acting as a boon to eastern Idaho's economy.
Recognizing the inherent opportunity in its expanding cybersecurity practice, Dr. Peters worked closely with the Sate of Idaho to construct two new buildings at the Lab's Research and Education Campus. These world-class centers facilitate cutting-edge research by government and private industry, while providing Idaho students with opportunities to develop modeling, simulation, and cybersecurity skills for in-demand careers in Idaho and beyond.
The Idaho Falls community not only benefited from Mark's leadership, but that of his wife, Ann Marie Peters. Her tireless efforts to expand programs and acquire the latest technologies at the College of Eastern Idaho have provided thousands of students with unprecedented high-
quality educational opportunities. Throughout the community, Mark and Ann Marie are known for their willingness to take time out of their busy schedules to help young people navigate college and career opportunities and for their generous support of organizations like the Idaho Falls Arts Council and United Way.
We wish Mark, Ann Marie, and their family the very best in their new endeavor. We thank them for their service and dedication to making the Lab and surrounding communities such a vibrant place to work and call home. Eastern Idaho is a better place because of the Peters family, and for that, all of Idaho is deeply grateful.
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