WASHINGTON -
At a hearing today on the president's fiscal year 2017 budget request for the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Senator Tom Udall pressed Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz about contract changes at Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories, and support for technology transfer to move innovations from the New Mexico's labs and universities into the marketplace to create jobs. He also questioned Moniz about the timeline for safely reopening the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad and potential economic benefits of the Mission Innovation global clean energy initiative.
Udall told Moniz that he is concerned about the impact the planned re-bidding of operating contracts might have on Sandia and Los Alamos national labs' important nuclear security work in coming years. Udall secured a commitment from Moniz to work to ensure smooth transitions at both labs as contract negotiations occur.
"I am concerned about losing sight of the ball during these transitions," Udall said. Moniz replied, "I can assure you we are already thinking hard about that issue with the transitions - all the labs actually, especially those in New Mexico."
Udall, who has championed measures to improve technology transfer and drive innovation in the marketplace, also highlighted his support for the Department of Energy's Office of Technology Transitions. "Expanding technology transfer is critical to maximize the economic impact of taxpayer dollars at the labs so that innovations can move from the lab and to the marketplace, and I support a permanent line item for the Office of Technology Transitions and its critical mission," Udall said.
He asked Moniz about whether the budget request provides adequate resources to administer the Technology Commercialization Fund and coordinate tech transfer across all 17 national labs. Moniz replied, "We do think the $8.5 million roughly is sufficient for the office to do that - of course that's working with the technology transfer offices in the various laboratories." Moniz raised concerns about whether the Technology Commercialization Fund has the flexibility it needs to match funds with private partners, and Udall asked Moniz to let the committee know if it can help resolve the issue.
New Mexico's national labs could contribute significantly to the Mission Innovation initiative to accelerate global clean energy innovation, and Udall asked Moniz about how the initiative can move forward to help meet the energy challenges of the future. Moniz indicated that the initiative will "enhance critical programs that we already have." He continued, "In addition, there will be some new thrusts... We proposed $110 million to go toward new regional energy partnerships, with the idea that that can stimulate innovation ecosystems across our entire country."
Finally, Udall asked Moniz about the timeline for reopening WIPP, which has been closed since February 2014 following two separate accidents. Udall emphasized the need to ensure WIPP reopens safely, and Moniz responded that WIPP is still expected to re-open by the end of the year.
