Idaho National Laboratory

Idaho National Laboratory
MottoThe energy of innovation
Established1949
Research typenuclear energy, national security, energy, and environment
Budgetapprox. $1 billion (2010)
DirectorJohn Wagner
Staffapprox. 5,700 (2023)
LocationIdaho Falls, Idaho, U.S.
and a large area to the west
Campus890 sq mi (2,310 km2)
Operating agency
Battelle Energy Alliance
Websiteinl.gov
Former Names:
INEEL, INEL, ERDA, NRTS
INL is located in the United States
INL
INL
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Location in the United States
INL is located in Idaho
INL
INL
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Location in Idaho, west of Idaho Falls
Prototype of core for USS Nautilus (SSN-571)
Experimental Breeder Reactor Number 1 in Idaho, the first reactor to generate a usable amount of electricity

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is one of the national laboratories of the United States Department of Energy and is managed by the Battelle Energy Alliance. Historically, the lab has been involved with nuclear research, although the laboratory does other research as well. Much of current knowledge about how nuclear reactors behave and misbehave was discovered at what is now Idaho National Laboratory. John Grossenbacher, former INL director, said, "The history of nuclear energy for peaceful application has principally been written in Idaho".[1]

Various organizations have built more than 50 reactors at what is commonly called "the Site", including the ones that gave the world its first usable amount of electricity from nuclear power and the power plant for the world's first nuclear submarine. Although many are now decommissioned, these facilities are the largest concentration of reactors in the world.[2]

It is on a 890-square-mile (2,310 km2) complex in the high desert of eastern Idaho, between Arco to the west and Idaho Falls and Blackfoot to the east. Atomic City, Idaho is just south. The laboratory employs approximately 5,700 people.[3]

  1. ^ Grossenbacher, John (April 30, 2010). "What was Old is New Again: The Future of Nuclear Energy & the INL". Idaho Falls City Club — Archives. NPR Radio. Archived from the original (mp3) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  2. ^ "INL History". Idaho National Laboratory. United States Department of Energy, DOE Office of Nuclear Energy. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  3. ^ "Fact Sheets". INL. Retrieved 2023-06-28.