The U.S. Department of Energy has officially renamed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to the National Laboratory of the Rockies, effective immediately. This change will be incorporated into all public communications and official correspondence.
Assistant Secretary of Energy (EERE) Audrey Robertson commented on the transition, stating, “The energy crisis we face today is unlike the crisis that gave rise to NREL. We are no longer picking and choosing energy sources. Our highest priority is to invest in the scientific capabilities that will restore American manufacturing, drive down costs, and help this country meet its soaring energy demand. The National Laboratory of the Rockies will play a vital role in those efforts.”
Jud Virden, laboratory director, also noted the significance of the name change, emphasizing that “For decades, this laboratory and its scientific capabilities have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible and delivered impact to the nation. This new name embraces a broader applied energy mission entrusted to us by the Department of Energy to deliver a more affordable and secure energy future for all.”
Founded in response to the 1973 oil crisis, NREL has been instrumental in advancing technologies across the energy system, from generation to distribution to end use. The new name aligns with the Trump administration’s vision for the lab’s applied energy research and highlights the region’s natural beauty in Golden, Colorado.
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