The Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory has a new director, John Wagner, who is being promoted from his current post as associate director for nuclear science and technology.
Wagner has been Idaho National Laboratory’s associate director since 2017. Battelle Energy Alliance, the lab prime, announced his elevation to the top job last week.
Battelle Energy Alliance is composed of Battelle, with BWX Technologies, Amentum and the Electric Power Research Institute serving as integrated subcontractors.
The Battelle Energy Alliance management contract is separate from the Idaho Cleanup Project contract held by Fluor Idaho. Monica Regalbuto, a former DOE assistant secretary for environmental management, works at Idaho National Laboratory currently as director of the nuclear fuel cycle.
Effective Dec. 11 Wagner will replace Mark Peters, who said in August he plans to leave in order to become executive vice president for laboratory operations at Battelle. Battelle also oversees operations at the DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York as well as the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California.
Wagner has logged more than 20 years leading research and development projects. Before joining the Idaho lab prime, he worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for nearly 17 years, where he held several research and leadership roles in reactor and fuel cycle technologies.
“I want to sincerely thank outgoing Director Mark Peters,” who has led the Idaho lab since 2015, said Rita Baranwal, assistant secretary for DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy in the same press release. “Because of Mark’s tireless efforts, and the outstanding INL staff, the laboratory is well-positioned for a bright future under John’s leadership.”
