NEW TESTING LABORATORY "INCUBATOR" AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC RICHLAND -- So, you've got a great new technology that could turn into a profitable new business venture, but you need a place to test that technology or idea. For most environmental and other technologies, it's virtually impossible to find the right kind of test space with the right kind of equipment, permits and waste treatment systems. If you can find the right facility, it's likely to be fairly costly. The Advanced Process Engineering Laboratory, set to begin construction this fall in Richland, is a unique alternative. APEL is a state-of-the-art, not-for-profit, user facility that will be accessible to any company, agency or individual entrepreneur who wishes to set up and test new technologies. The 90,000 square-foot lab facility will provide specialized space for technology developers. It will offer the latest process monitoring, control and diagnostic equipment for gaseous, liquid and solid effluents. Users will be able to rent wet labs and high-bay space, as well as offices and conference rooms. APEL will be equipped with microwave and fiber optic communications links, a computer center and a personally identified key card security system. A special research and development permit from the Washington State Department of Ecology will allow APEL users to test technologies at the pilot-scale using actual hazardous waste without obtaining a special permit for each test. Users can speed their technology development efforts by not having to allocate time and money towards securing a test permit. The facility also will help businesses make final decisions on licensing and using a technology by offering pedigreed, certified test data packages which will also expedite regulatory acceptance. Data packages from APEL are expected to be adequate for regulatory acceptance of the technology at multiple sites in more than one state. The facility is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Worker and Community Transition, with additional money coming from Tri-Cities community institutions. In addition to DOE, APEL is supported by DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the City of Richland, the Port of Benton, the Tri-Cities Science and Technology Park Association, the Tri-Cities Economic Development Council (TRIDEC), Washington State University, and the Washington Public Power Supply System. The intent is to create new jobs in the area by developing new business and enterprise. "The financial backing of APEL will make it possible to provide services at 'incubator' rates." said Chuck Allen, PNNL project manager. "Start-up businesses will be allowed to remain at APEL for approximately three years. After that time, it is hoped that they will be able to successfully make it on their own." Washington State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will be the long-term core tenants of the facility and services of scientists and engineers from the university and laboratory will be available to smaller tenants, perhaps even on a gifted basis. APEL will provide a rare opportunity for development, validation and commercialization of environmental and other innovative technologies. The lab will be built at the Tri-Cities Science and Technology Park in north Richland and is expected to be complete by July 1997. For more information, contact Chuck Allen at (509)372-4220.