Miller looks to the year ahead

In his last quarterly all-hands meeting for 2008, Director George Miller on Tuesday recognized recent awards and accomplishments, emphasized the importance of safety vigilance, and discussed the success of Lab cost efficiencies, developments from Washington D.C. and a plethora of other topics.

The Laboratory anticipates that it will receive 2008 funding levels for the coming year, Miller said, noting that funding is in place under a six-month continuing resolution.

As part of its cost efficiencies, the Laboratory saved $185 million during the past year and also avoided approximately $25 million in other costs through consolidating buildings and other initiatives.

Miller reported on his meeting earlier this month with the directors of Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories and U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and his staff. The lab directors outlined the capabilities of the three National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) facilities in a series of white papers on nuclear deterrence, nuclear proliferation and terrorism, regional climate change, energy and Laboratory Directed Research and Development efforts, according to Miller.

Information about the Laboratory’s science and technology development in national security, energy security and climate change also has been provided to the Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) Board of Governors.

Miller also detailed three studies under way that may affect the roles of the national labs — by the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States; the Stimson Center Task Force; and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"Throughout all of these interactions, there is a very consistent theme, and that is the NNSA laboratories are tremendous assets and have resources in science and technology for helping to solve some of the most pressing problems facing this country," Miller said.

"There also is a recognition that with the demise of most of the large industrial labs, like Bell Labs, these three labs are increasingly unique and vital in being able to apply large-scale science and technology to the nation’s problems."

After he played a video highlighting Lab employee achievements and awards for the past three months, Miller praised a recent test conducted at the Nevada Test Site.

The test, dubbed "Full Toss," was a joint hydro experiment between the United Kingdom’s Atomic Weapons Establishment and the United States, including LLNL researchers.

The experiment, which was the result of many years of work and included many directorates from across the Laboratory, was a "tremendous accomplishment," Miller said. All in all, 14 organizations cooperated in the fielding and execution of the experiment.

For the experiment, Livermore provided high explosive components, device engineering support, diagnostics and fielding expertise.

Reflecting on a video of the experiment, Miller noted that the Laboratory works with many potentially dangerous materials that require the constant vigilance of employees.

The director emphasized that "ensuring safe and secure operations in the Laboratory is our number one goal."

"It is an unending task and one that requires constant vigilance and asking yourself over and over again: ‘How am I doing? How can I possibly improve?’

"One of the worst things that can happen in these kinds of areas is to allow our work to become second nature."

At the outset of his presentation, Miller introduced and welcomed Alice Williams, the new manager of the NNSA’s Livermore Site Office.

He also paid tribute to former Lab Deputy Director Duane Sewell, who died in October at the age of 90.

Sewell was a member of the Manhattan Project, one of the founders of the Laboratory, a former Department of Energy assistant secretary for defense programs and someone who served and worked with every single director of LLNL, Miller noted.

"His widely recognized integrity contributed to the reputation of this Laboratory for more than 40 years. Among his many characteristics was an overriding sense of always doing the job safely and securely."

In his presentation, Miller provided the dates for two 2009 special events — the dedication of the National Ignition Facility, set for May 28-29, and the Family Day Open House, on tap for May 30-31.

Miller also encouraged Laboratory participation in the annual HOME Campaign and reported that contributions were currently at $883,000 and climbing.

In his closing comments, Miller said, "I stand in awe of the science, technology and operational excellence here at the Laboratory. You, each and every one of you, are the key to the Laboratory’s future."

Miller then made note of the Nov. 10 visit to the Laboratory of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and played a short video clip of comments made by the governor about LLNL.

"I am very excited to come here today to the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, which is of course the most spectacular and innovative place in the world," Schwarzenegger said during his visit. "I think it is because of all the great work that is being done here. Everything that has been done here for the last 50 years has been extraordinary and has had a huge impact on the world."