Statement by Gov. Schwarzenegger on the University of California Winning the Contract To Operate Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today (April 19) issued the following statement on the University of California winning the contract to operate Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory:

"This is a great victory for the people of California and the University of California. The decision to award the contract to manage and operate Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to the University of California reaffirms that our public university system is the envy of the nation and will help continue to bring the most talented and insightful scientists to the Golden State.

"But we still have much to do. California will work to ensure that Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory continue to be led by the scientific and technological expertise of the University of California. I will work with the UC Regents, the California Congressional Delegation and the Federal government to make every effort to keep those laboratories under the management of the University of California and its partners."

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a new five-year contract to the University of California to manage and operate its Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, worth an estimated $2.3 billion. The term of the contract may be extended to a total of 20 years if the lab meets performance criteria. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's $469 million annual budget is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science and other department programs, as well as other government agencies and private industry. The University of California has operated the laboratory since 1943.

Statement of Senator Feinstein on DOE Decision to Award
Berkeley Lab Contract to University of California

Washington, DC – The Energy Department announced today (April 19) that it has awarded a new five-year contract to the University of California to manage and operate its Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Following is the statement of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on the announcement:

"I applaud today's decision by the U.S. Department of Energy to award the management and operations contract for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to the University of California. This is clear recognition of the outstanding quality of science and technology that UC brings to management of the country's national laboratories.

“Berkeley Laboratory is a wonderful scientific and technological resource for the Bay area, California and the nation.With 10 Nobel Prize winners, 12 National Medal of Science winners and more than 250 joint appointments with the University of California system, I am confident that Berkeley Laboratory will continue to be on the cutting edge of science and technology.

“This relationship between the University of California and the Department of Energy has been among the most successful government-scientific collaborations in our country's history.It has pioneered the exploration of some of the most esoteric fields of science which in time have yielded important scientific discoveries and technical developments many of which have substantially improved our lives. For example, Berkeley Laboratory is performing pioneering research on breast cancer and is actively working to broaden people's knowledge about the expanding universe.

“The University of California, I believe, is honored to continue the opportunity to manage this outstanding laboratory.Today's decision reiterates the importance of having universities and the academic community actively engaged in the management of our national laboratories."

Barbara Lee Congratulates University of California
On Winning New Berkeley Lab Contract

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) offered the following statement on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) announcement today (April 19) that it will award a new five-year contract to the University of California to manage and operate its Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL):

“Congratulations to the University of California for winning the competition for continued management of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Berkeley Lab is an integral part of the economic and scientific well-being of California and the nation.

“As Congress debates the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and as the country approaches the 35th Anniversary of Earth Day this Friday, I am particularly proud that Berkeley Laboratory is at the forefront of energy efficiency research that has been shown to provide substantial energy cost savings.

“Today’s decision by the Department of Energy is a reminder of the important contributions the University of California is making to the nation in providing the scientific and technological leadership necessary to manage the national labs.”