Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Principal: U.S. Department of Energy; operated by Batelle, Columbus, Ohio
1999 Revenues: $488 million
2000 Projected Revenues: $450 milllion-$500 million
Year founded: 1965

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, headquartered in Richland, is one of the U.S. Department of Energy's nine national, multiprogram laboratories. It was created in 1965 when the federal government's research lab at DOE's Hanford site was separated from Hanford operations.

Although PNNL's original mission was focused on nuclear technology and the environmental and health effects of radiation, the lab has expanded its services to include marine sciences, energy conservation and agricultural issues. The lab's core mission is to develop environmental science and technology to solve environmental issues.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has expanded its focus from the environmental effects of nuclear technology to address marine sciences, energy conservation and agricultural issues.

Currently, PNNL researchers are assessing the impacts of dams, irrigation, port and harbor development, resource extraction and pollution on rivers and oceans.

In Richland, scientists are developing mitigation strategies to help solve environmental problems associated with hydroelectric facilities; conducting research on fish life cycles, conditions and survival threats; and contributing to improved fisheries management practices.

At the Hanford cleanup site, a new technique created at PNNL is being used to remove deadly contaminants from groundwater more easily and at a lower cost. Called In-Situ Redox Manipulation, the technique can remediate contaminated groundwater at up to 60 percent savings over 10 years when compared to current remediation methods, according to Greg Koller, spokesperson for PNNL.

On the agricultural front, PNNL researchers have already developed technologies that convert waste materials -- such as by-products from paper mils, food processing operations and other businesses -- into environmentally-friendly products.

Koller said that over the next few years, PNNL expects to play a greater role in waste cleanup, natural resource management, fuel cells and helping develop a better understanding of the impact of environmental pollutants on human health.