INL Responds To Rumors Of State Ownership Of Lab

According to published reports on Sunday, the Idaho National Lab director has reached out to Governor Butch Otter asking for the state to take partial ownership of the site.

The report said director John Grossenbacher has pitched the unprecedented idea to otter several times since the fall.

Our station contacted INL spokesman Ethan Huffman to find out if there was any truth to the speculation. Huffman said the talks are related to the formation of the Leadership in Nuclear Energy Commission.

In a statement to our station, the INL said:

“The establishment of the Leadership in Nuclear Energy (LINE) Commission is an important moment in the State of Idaho’s long-standing relationship with Idaho National Laboratory.

The Commission is a forward-looking entity whose stated role is to evaluate and explore ways in which the State and INL can continue to work together in mutually beneficial areas such as economic growth and energy security.

During the Commission’s inaugural meeting on April 7, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality briefed members on key points about the historic 1995 Settlement Agreement.

This Agreement is one of many topics the Commission will discuss as it prepares recommendations on INL’s future beyond 2035.”