Processing & Environmental Technology Laboratory to be formally dedicated Nov. 8

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Sandia National Laboratories Director C. Paul Robinson heads the list of speakers who will dedicate Sandia’s $45.9 million, 151,000-square-foot Processing & Environmental Technology Laboratory (PETL) Nov. 8. The Department of Energy (DOE) facility provides materials support for nuclear weapons design, manufacture, surveillance, maintenance, and dismantlement.

“PETL is an extraordinary resource that not only provides new opportunities for Sandians to exercise their creativity, but also affords an extremely safe working environment,” says Kay Hays, Director of Sandia’s Materials and Process Sciences Center. “This unique new facility will serve our nation far into the 21st century.”

Sandia Vice President for Science, Technology & Components Al Romig and DOE Kirtland Area Office Manager Michael Zamorski also will speak at the dedication and members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation have been invited to deliver messages at the ceremony.

PETL is an award-winner: It was one of six winners of DOE’s Program and Project Management Award 2000. Two other awards it won were:

• The 1999 Excellence in Concrete award from the New Mexico Chapter of the American Concrete Institute, for PETL’s concrete structure and precast concrete exterior finish.
• And the Energy Project of the Year award from the New Mexico Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers, for its chilled water thermal energy storage system. The system serves 10 buildings with less-expensive chilled water that is produced at night when electricity rates are low. The system includes the one-million-gallon storage tank located south of PETL.

PETL occupancy began in July and the fence was moved to include the building inside the Labs’ restricted Tech Area 1 on Oct. 9.

Materials and Process Sciences Center Deputy Director Jim Jellison says people working in the building praise it as a pleasant place to work because of abundant natural lighting, easy path-finding, great proximity of staff and manager offices to the labs, and attractive surroundings.

In response to DOE’s desire to create a working environment conducive to teaming, the PETL design incorporates two video conference rooms, numerous breakout areas, small conference rooms, and even a strategically located multipurpose room that can be used for lunches, informal meetings, and special events.

The Tacos - the New Mexico Air National Guard F-16 wing - will add a little excitement with a flyover just minutes after the ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

Media contact:
Howard Kercheval, hckerch@sandia.gov, (505) 844-7842