March 23 – U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that $1.2 billion in new science funding will be distributed to DOE’s national laboratories for major construction, laboratory infrastructure and research efforts. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will receive $71.2 million of this funding for laboratory modernization, including construction of a Multipurpose Laboratory Facility for advanced materials and chemistry research, infrastructure repairs and improvements and equipment for a new beamline at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) that is used in advanced materials and energy research. Congressman Zach Wamp issued a statement about the ORNL funding:

“Secretary Chu’s announcement means more jobs and more economic development opportunities are coming to Oak Ridge. This modernization effort will help keep ORNL as one of our nation’s premier laboratories. There will be increased employment in the area from both the approximately 170 construction jobs and the permanent jobs that will come from lab improvements. In addition, we can expect new economic development opportunities in the region from these expanded programs. The announcement of this new funding is a testament to the great work being performed every day by the people at ORNL.”