WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz announced the release of the inaugural State of the Department of Energy National Laboratories Report on January 11, 2017.
The report outlines the accomplishments and capabilities of the National Labs, evaluates recent improvements in DOE's management and coordination with these labs, and provides a roadmap for continued American leadership in science and technology. The report concludes that the vitality of the DOE National Laboratories has improved over the past decade due to increased investments and enhanced relationships between the laboratories and DOE.
"Our National Lab system is an enduring science and technology powerhouse comprised of more than 20,000 scientists and engineers who deliver new discoveries and provide world-class technological capabilities," said Secretary Moniz. "This report makes clear that the state of our National Lab system is strong, and that it has become stronger in recent years. This report also provides a roadmap to continue supporting American leadership in science and technology in our labs and beyond."
Highlighted lab accomplishments include:
- Conducting fundamental and applied research that enabled both the shale gas revolution and developments in nuclear energy, photovoltaics, and energy storage for transportation.
- Developing energy efficiency technologies and standards that have saved U.S. taxpayers over $1 trillion.
- Delivering forefront scientific discoveries, from new chemical elements to new states of matter.
- Sustaining a safe and secure U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing through high-performance computing, cutting-edge innovations in facilities, and other advanced technologies.
The report organizes issues and recommendations into six themes: Recognizing Value, Rebuilding Trust, Maintaining Alignment and Quality, Maximizing Impact, Managing Effectiveness and Efficiency, and Ensuring Lasting Change.
Significant progress has been made in many areas over recent years—from prioritizing mission-driven DOE-Laboratory relationships rather than transactional ones to improving infrastructure planning and pursuing simplified contracting models. Secretary Moniz’s reorganization of the Department created a single Under Secretary for Science and Energy position to maximize impact through crosscutting initiatives involving experts across the DOE-Lab complex tackling major challenges like grid modernization.
Challenges ahead include maintaining a skilled workforce as well as sustaining unique but aging infrastructure supporting critical facilities.
The report also includes summaries highlighting each of the 17 National Labs' capabilities and accomplishments while detailing DOE Laboratory management models and recounting the history of the Lab system.
Prepared in response to a Congressionally-mandated Commission to Review the Effectiveness of National Energy Laboratories recommendation, this report aims to better communicate the value these labs provide to the Nation.
The entire report can be found here.
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