US energy secretary Spencer Abraham has announced plans to transform the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) into the leading centre for nuclear energy research and development.
Abraham said the new initiative would see INEEL take the leading role in: expanding the Generation IV advanced nuclear technology programme; supporting the Nuclear Power 2010 initiative; and investigating advanced fuel cycle and transmutation technologies.
Under the plan, which will also involve the Argonne National Laboratory West, oversight of INEEL will be transferred from the DoE's office of environmental management to the office of nuclear energy, science and technology. The transition will receive an initial investment of $5 million, and should be completed by the end of September 2002.
