Udall, Heinrich Invite Energy Secretary Rick Perry To Visit N.M. National Labs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich sent a letter to Energy Secretary Rick Perry inviting him to visit Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico.

“The work at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories is critical to meeting DOE’s mission of assuring national security through stewardship of the nuclear weapons stockpile, nuclear non-proliferation, and homeland security,” wrote the senators. “The labs also have extensive strategic partnerships with other federal agencies and private stakeholders that contribute to international and homeland security. In addition, both laboratories are leaders in the development of advanced energy technologies, including renewable energy, and a better understanding of the threat of climate change. Many of the nation’s most cutting edge technologies were first conceived and developed at the two labs and transferred to industry helping to drive the economy of the nation.”

Both laboratories are a part of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s nuclear security enterprise. In addition to their substantial contributions to the nation's security, Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories and their employees play a central role in the community and the economy of New Mexico.

“The scientists and engineers at Los Alamos and Sandia Labs are incredible resources to the nation. We know you will agree that DOE’s labs are the nation’s jewels and the envy of the world. You will truly be impressed with the outstanding employees and facilities that contribute so much to our nation’s security, economy and environment,” continued the senators. 

Full text of the senators' letter is below and PDF is available here.

The Honorable Rick Perry

Secretary

U.S. Department of Energy

1000 Independence Ave SW

Washington, DC 20585-1000

Dear Mr. Secretary,

We write to congratulate you on your swearing in as Secretary of Energy and would like to follow up in writing regarding our invitation for you to visit the Department of Energy’s (DOE) two flagship national laboratories in New Mexico at your earliest convenience. The work at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories is critical to meeting DOE’s mission of assuring national security through stewardship of the nuclear weapons stockpile, nuclear non-proliferation, and homeland security.

The labs also have extensive strategic partnerships with other federal agencies and private stakeholders that contribute to international and homeland security. In addition, both laboratories are leaders in the development of advanced energy technologies, including renewable energy, and a better understanding of the threat of climate change. Many of the nation’s most cutting edge technologies were first conceived and developed at the two labs and transferred to industry helping to drive the economy of the nation.

The scientists and engineers at Los Alamos and Sandia Labs are incredible resources to the nation. We know you will agree that DOE’s labs are the nation’s jewels and the envy of the world. You will truly be impressed with the outstanding employees and facilities that contribute so much to our nation’s security, economy and environment. We are confident that an on the ground visit and briefings from the labs’ leadership and scientific experts will be a highly valuable use of your time early in your new position.

We urge you to visit New Mexico soon and see firsthand the outstanding work of the scientists and engineers of Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. We would be pleased to help coordinate plans for your visit and to join with you.

Sincerely,