For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

“Today’s announcement is welcome news for those of us who want to continue to work to ensure that PNNL’s future is strong for decades to come.

Our goal has always been to ensure that any contract competition resulted in a strong Lab that would help our region create jobs and opportunities well into the future.  The “use permit” was a critical tool in helping the Lab to grow and to create new jobs and business in the Tri Cities and across our state.  DOE’s proposal to abruptly end the “use permit” was simply wrong. 

Just as we’ve been unified from the very beginning, we will continue to work in a bipartisan way to ensure a bright future for PNNL.  Today’s decision allows us to continue to move forward for the health of the Lab and the vitality of our communities.”