I just received my annual TCP-1 letter from LLNS and a summary of the LLNS Pension Plan. Looked in pretty good shape in 2013. About 35% overfunded (funding target attainment percentage = 134.92%). This was a decrease from 2012 where it was 51% overfunded (funding target attainment percentage = 151.59%). They did note that the 2012 change in the law on how liabilities are calculated using interest rates improved the plan's position. Without the change the funding target attainment percentages would have been 118% (2012) and 105% (2013). 2013 assets = $2,057,866,902 2013 liabilities = $1,525,162,784 vs 2012 assets = $1,844,924,947 2012 liabilities = $1,217,043,150 It was also noted that a slightly different calculation method ("fair market value") designed to show a clearer picture of the plan' status as December 31, 2013 had; Assets = $2,403,098,433 Liabilities = $2,068,984,256 Funding ratio = 116.15% Its a closed plan with 3,781 participants. Of that number, 3,151 wer...
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The auditorium was filled to capacity.
Only a handful of questions before time was called.
A Secretary of Energy with a passion for the energy mission. Who would have thunk it?
I was surprised when questions via e-mail were solicited.
I am not surprised that no e-mailed questions were asked.
My question is being forwarded to the Secretary directly where I expect at least the courtesy of an acknowledgment.
Dr. Chu’s presentation was a presentation to challenge the LLNL workforce to be innovative. It went over the heads of most people in the conference room, he even made a dig at the status quo ST&E’s with his Bell Labs comment about young post doc’s being the innovators.
Truly, the idiot that made the drug testing comment should be shown the door. Do you want to work around a crack head or alcoholic? My question to the idiot that asked the drug-testing question would be, do you want to fly on a plane where the pilot is on crack? I don’t!! Here at LLNL though were special were the best & brightest we don’t need drug tests. LLNL’s best and brightest are delusional at best. Arrogant describes most of the LLNL management. I am sick and tired of being talked down to by a LLNL management team that is never innovative. The only innovative ideas developed today are how to screw over the rank & file. Division offices, Department offices, and 111, only exist by taxes charged on the rank and file. These individuals once in there positions never have to go out and secure funding they just raise internal taxes to justify themselves.
I would challenge any of the current ULM management not the rank & file to develop an idea that would start a 100 million dollar plus program at LLNL to employ individuals. My guess, this will never happen most of the LLNL management is political innovative not technically innovative.
If a ST&E is more worried about drug tests than technological innovation, LLNL is in its final death spiral.
EXCELLENT assessment of Dr Chu's speech. Glad someone was REALLY listening.
You are 100% correct in stating "is LLNL / LLNS / UC listening or will it just be more of the same"!!
For those who are still employed there, unlike this ISP'd individual, I certainly hope "they" ARE listening!!!
I wish you luck my friend!!
I guess that if I did use drugs, I would complain about testing for drug use.
I too agree with your assessment of Dr Chu talk. I'm going to bet ULM didn't hear a word he said and is hoping in four years he'll be gone and the next Secretary of Energy will endorse weapons science in the meantime losing millions in funding, laying off thousands of people and missing some great opportunities to do what this country really needs. We need energy independence from those whose only goal in life is to kill you. I would think that along would be a motivator.
It also describes most of the scientists and software engineers that I had the "pleasure" of working with.