Dear Berkeley Lab Staff,
On behalf of the Department of Energy, I wish to extend my congratulations to the employees of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on your successful and professional handling of two Northern California Public Safety Power Shutdowns in October. Your efforts ensured that the important science in progress at the laboratory continues.
I have watched your efforts from Washington, and I speak for the entire Office of Science complex in expressing how proud we are of the ways you have represented Berkeley Lab, the national laboratory system, and the Department of Energy during these unprecedented power events.
I want to recognize especially the Lab’s Emergency Management and Power Outage planning teams, who completed advance plans for potential power outage events. The fact that these events concluded with no accidents, exposures or injuries is especially impressive. By extension, my congratulations go to the over 300 employees who worked to resume normal laboratory operations.
Because of your dedication and professionalism, two multi-day power outages ended in successful outcomes. Careful focus on and execution of a multi-step process have provided a blueprint for your Lab and other laboratories to follow in future emergencies.
Thank you,
Chris Fall
Director, Department of Energy’s Office of Science