During a visit to the laboratory, Corker said he was impressed with the different energy-related projects taking place in Oak Ridge.
"There's a tremendous amount of research and a tremendous amount of technology transference that's taking place here at Oak Ridge," Corker said. "To hear this briefing and to know of other ways that I can help our country through supporting Oak Ridge is to help our country achieve energy security."
Citing growing populations in India and China and their increased use of energy resources, Corker said Oak Ridge research can help the United States become more energy independent and an asset in relations with other countries.
"Much of our relationship with these countries through foreign policy is built around energy and yet right here at Oak Ridge we have an entity that's helping our own country become energy secure," Corker said. "That really helps us in so many ways in our relationship to other countries."
ORNL is managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy.