1. As most of you know, this Committee is very concerned about the declining enrollment in many of our universities' Nuclear Engineering Departments. We have argued that in order to attract the best engineering minds to nuclear engineering, it will be necessary to involve the universities in the mainstream programs of the Department of Energy's Nuclear Fission R&D efforts. What role do each of you play in supporting the efforts of Argonne has had a long history of close interaction with the - university community particularly in nuclear engineering and in More direct interactions between ANL and the various university I am pleased to submit the following information in response to questions transmitted with your March 3, 1986 letter to me. Impact of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act PNL, as a multiprogram laboratory, had originally projected a 6% growth in the laboratory for FY 1986. The impacts of the Deficit Reduction Act for FY 1986 indicate that this growth will not be achieved. The PNL impacts of the FY 1987 President's Budget are extremely uncertain at this time because of the multiprogram character of the work and delays in developing flow down guidance including uncertainty about congressional priorities. Reductions are anticipated and the laboratory has canceled previously planned space acquisitions and has slowed or canceled staff hiring actions. The only significant reactor technology work in PNL's planning for FY 1987 has involved SDI programs, which are expected to be unaffected. Areas of concern for the laboratory are the Nuclear Waste Treatment Program, the Civilian Byproducts Utilization Program and our Conservation and Renewable Programs. Specific impacts to facilities and operations are currently under evaluation. PNL is concerned that budget reductions will seriously impair proceeding with the laboratory revitalization program and require extended use of old, inefficient facilities. Program Split - Civilian Reactor Development and Defense Reactor Programs PNL has not had a major role in the Civilian Reactor Development Program. Our FY 1986 effort is approximately $1M, and this is zeroed out in the FY 1987 President's budget. The one DOE-NE growth area expected is in the Defense Reactor Program (Multimegawatt Nuclear Space Power). The PNL work should increase from about $0.9M in FY 1986 to about $2.5M in FY 1987 and continue substantial growth in ensuing years. It will become our dominant effort in support of DOE-NE. Ms. Marilyn Lloyd DOD Sharing of Facility Operating Costs We believe that as the Department of Defense becomes more involved in reactor power systems, they could and should assume a greater share of facility operating costs. At PNL, facility operating costs are incorporated in the overhead structure and each program is charged with its fair share of these costs. This is true for basic operating costs, utilities and services, maintenance, etc. To our knowledge, there is not a current system for obtaining DOD funds for capital improvements and modifications. Arrangements should be developed to make this possible and necessary. In addition, understandings should be developed to address responsibilities for decommissioning of facilities as programs are completed. Ultimate decommissioning costs should be prorated to the programs which create and/or significantly sustain the need for such costs. There is no apparent disadvantage to DOD involvement in this type of support. Support to Universities PNL's University Relations Program contributes to the education and training of Northwest university students through many established mechanisms. These include the National Environmental Research Park (NERP), the Northwest College and University Association for Science (NORCUS), staff exchanges, joint laboratory/university research projects, sharing of facilities and equipment, PNL staff presenting seminars and teaching courses, and graduate students conducting thesis studies at PNL. PNL sponsored 124 NORCUS appointees during FY 1985. Of these, 90 were funded by the NORCUS program and 34 were funded by PNL programs. The distribution of appointees was 49% undergraduate students, 19% graduate students, 12% postdoctorate students, and 20% faculty members. Approximately one-half of the NORCUS appointees conducted studies on the National Environmental Research Park which is on the Hanford Reservation. Many of the appointees return to PNL the next year or continue studies at their universities with some PNL support. Meetings or workshops are hosted to bring together scientists and engineers from PNL and faculty from Northwest universities and colleges. A composite materials workshop resulted in the submittal of four joint proposals for Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) research by PNL and University of Washington researchers. A PNL/WSU Collaborative Research Conference held at Pullman, Washington resulted in exchange of research interests between both institutions. At the conclusion of the conference, PNL established two graduate fellowships for science and engineering at WSU. A royalty-free license was also awarded to WSU for use of Battelle's CAGE/GEM system to aid WSU in their research in genetic engineering. PNL continues to assist academia through PNL staff teaching university courses. During FY 1985, 74 PNL staff members were involved in teaching courses at the Ms. Marilyn Lloyd March 10, 1986 Tri-Cities University Center. PNL staff members also taught courses at Central Washington University, Seattle Pacific University, and Harvard School of Public Health. Other PNL staff members also serve on the Engineering Advisory Committees for Washington State University and Walla Walla College. A monthly seminar program has been initiated to inform PNL staff of current university research and to provide university faculty an opportunity to tour PNL facilities. PNL facilities are made available to graduate students to assist in their thesis studies. Experimental dosimeters were irradiated in a PNL facility for one student. Another student is using PNL surface science analytical equipment. Graduate students also interact with technical experts at PNL. Some PNL staff serve on thesis committees. To support the efforts of universities in our area and to mitigate the decline in numbers of students who pursue engineering degrees, we have established programs to strengthen and expand our role in bringing forefront science and engineering to preuniversity students and teachers. Students must prepare themselves in science and mathematics in the preuniversity years if they are to be ready for participation in engineering programs; i.e., nuclear engineering programs, at the universities. We conduct programs for preuniversity students and teachers both in the schools and in the Laboratory. In the schools, the Sharing Science with Schools program prepares selected PNL scientists and engineers to speak to high school students and teachers on current research and development conducted at the Laboratory. The program, now in its second year, is expanding this year to include nearly 100 presentations in 11 area high schools on 9 separate research topics. Between 2000 and 3000 area students are reached by the program each year. In the Laboratory, we host students and teachers in institutes or intensive workshops from one week to six weeks, and in cooperative intern programs of up to one school year. In the Laboratory programs, preuniversity students and teachers work alongside active and productive scientists and engineers on Laboratory research and development projects. Educational enrichment activities are also provided including workshop/seminars for high school teachers to upgrade their instructional capabilities in mathematics and science. Altogether, the preuniversity education programs are vital in assisting and supporting the education of future scientists and engineers and in encouraging students to prepare to pursue degrees in engineering; e.g., nuclear engineering, at the universities. Very truly yours, Thomas T Claudio Thomas T. Claudson TTC/bc |