News Release
Media Contact: Mike Bradley
Communications and External Relations
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DOE gives UT-Battelle high marks for ORNL performance

OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 7, 2008 — The Department of Energy's recent evaluation of laboratory performance awarded UT-Battelle a grade of A in the area of Science and Technology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

DOE's "report card" rated UT-Battelle's performance from October 2006 through September 2007 on eight performance goals that included the quality of research programs and the efficiency of the lab's operations. The laboratory did not receive a score below A- on any of the eight goals.

Grades on the eight performance goals determine UT-Battelle's fee for operating the Laboratory. UT-Battelle's total fee for operating ORNL in fiscal year 2007 is $10,379,000, or 97 percent of the maximum fee.

ORNL Director and UT-Battelle CEO Thom Mason said his goal "is for UT-Battelle to provide the Department of Energy one of the best laboratories in the world." Mason said that UT-Battelle's three consecutive years of superior scores "are evidence that DOE has confidence in our ability to manage the laboratory."

DOE's award letter noted a number of highlights in 2007 that contributed to ORNL's high performance score in the area of science and technology. The new Spallation Neutron Source set a new world record for the production of neutrons, the laboratory's supercomputer became one of the world's most powerful, and DOE selected ORNL to lead one of the agency's three new bioenergy research centers.

The award letter stated that UT-Battelle "notably exceeded expectations" in the category of waste minimization/pollution prevention. The letter also stated that "leadership and stewardship of the laboratory exceeded expectations, highlighted by commendable performance in community service and significant partnership and teaming efforts."

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy.