OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY

'Fit Friendly' ORNL employees recognized
(Oak Ridger) Employees of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have been recognized by the American Heart Association for their efforts to keep fit. The American Heart Association presented the Fit Friendly Company and Workplace Innovative awards in a special ceremony recently at ORNL..."These awards from the American Heart Association are the result of our successful programs to improve employee wellness,'' ORNL Director Thom Mason said.  "We thank our staff for their efforts to stay physically fit and encourage them to continue the good work."...5/12

Staying connected in ET
(Knoxville News Sentinel) Since the beginning of time, it seems farmers have worried about the cost of feed and fuel, the vagaries of weather and the unpredictability of the markets. These days, they aren't the only ones. At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, scientists are spending a lot of time and a chunk of federal dollars on switchgrass - now growing on farm plots across Tennessee. Using this native plant, the BioEnergy Science Center at ORNL hopes to develop technologies to then be picked up by business for development of a new generation of cellulosic biofuels, leaving the corn for animals and people, and weaning America - at least partly - from its dependence on pricey, foreign oil...5/13

Local science community shows interest in energy plan
(Oak Ridger) Launching what he refers to as "a new Manhattan Project" (are we the only ones a bit sensitive about that?), U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., drew a standing ovation from scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory on Friday as he proposed an ambitious initiative aimed at making America energy independent and more environmentally friendly within a generation...5/12

Local DOE :

98 Y-12 workers OK'd for buyouts
(Knoxville News Sentinel) The government's contractor at the Y-12 National Security Complex plant has approved buy-out packages for 98 hourly workers to help meet budget restrictions. That's short of the target of 120 voluntary departures, but a spokesman for B&W Technical Services said Monday no layoffs are planned. "We do not anticipate any involuntary separations," Bill Wilburn said...5/13

community:

Rep. Gordon states his case against n-waste imports
(Knoxville News Sentinel) Congressman Bart Gordon, who heads the House Science and Technology Committee, was in Oak Ridge last week to talk about solving the nation's energy woes. In a side interview, he took a little time to discuss his oppostion to the plans that would import up to 20,000 tons of Italian nuclear waste...5/12

Historic Rugby celebrates tradition at the Festival of British and Appalachian Culture
(Oak Ridger) Celebrate heritage and tradition at Historic Rugby's Festival of British and Appalachian Culture May 17 and 18. Festival activities are at the restored Victorian village on East Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau. The Rugby festival will showcase more than 70 traditional arts and crafts exhibitors and demonstrators including potters, broom makers, blacksmiths as well as goat milking and soap-making...5/12

state & regional :

State's broadband expands its reach
(Knoxville News Sentinel) Tennesseans are flocking to broadband Internet in growing numbers, proof that a public/private partnership formed to encourage adoption of the service is bearing fruit, according to the group Connected Tennessee...5/13

$100M fund to attract jobs
(Knoxville News Sentinel) Gov. Phil Bredesen proposed Monday a revised state budget that puts $100 million into a new economic development "contingency fund" while cutting $80 million from a TennCare program for the "medically needy."...5/13