LLNL - The True Story -

The purpose of this BLOG, as you know, is to allow people to express how they feel on topics that affect all of us. Over of the almost 4 years of its existence and especially since the LANL blog closure, I will be first one to admit that the comments have turned into bitterness and negative dwelling. It is one thing to express disagreement and give your opinion, it is another to chew the same thoughts over and over; for example, what good does it do me and others to know that Charlie (is that his first name?) Mc Millan lives in Livermore or Los Alamos? or that someone in ULM drives a Bentley? Learn how to make real contributions to the BLOG or don't make any. BY the same token, I would like to thanks all contributors who have kept contributing despite the "trolling".

Anonymously contributed: "I'm researching patent/IP theft, and I'm curious if you know -- or could put me in touch with someone who does know -- about patent/IP looting at national labs. I have a friend who works at a national lab in California who has been working on a design for some time. It's almost ready for technology transfer/licensing, and some claim-jumpers have started calling it "Our unique patented technology" and are out winning business plan competitions with it, and are shopping the gadget around for venture money and manufacture. My friend has had this happen to three of his inventions now, and the previous two times, the Lab folded its cards and granted licenses for token fees. Once again, the Lab looks to be issuing not-very-strongly-worded letters expressing concern about apparent improprieties, while eyeing the exits nervously. My suspicion is that various business types have discovered that if you just straight rip off a National Lab, ...

Anonymously contributed: "NM wildfire grows, shuts famed Los Alamos nuke lab" http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110627/ap_on_re_us/us_western_wildfires

Anonymously contributed: I didn't see George Miller's quarterly all-hands meeting yesterday, but thought this recap item today from Lab Public Affairs of note: ...Regarding the status of the LLNS defined benefit pension plan, Miller explained that although the plan is currently overfunded at 130 percent, future liabilities are such that employee and employer contributions will be needed within the next five years. "We believe the most prudent approach would be to start payments early, but DOE denied our request to begin contributions. I expect that we'll request approval again early next fiscal year." Seems DOE wants its contractor's pension plan to fail.

Anonymously contributed: According to planned overhead taxes in FY13, my program costs go down significantly. The CFO people tell me that the rate change is caused by the fact that NIF will finally have to pay its fair share in taxes. Has anyone else noticed this change and received the same answer? Do you think it will really happen?

Anonymously contributed: Note from Scooby: So many people, so much energy, so much money we dont have! That is the NNSA way! Here are the names of the Committee appointed by UC President Mark Yudof to select the new LLNL Director: Norman J. Pattiz, Chairman Chairman, LLNS Board of Governors Chairman, UC Regents Committee on Oversight of the DOE Labs Chairman, Westwood One J. Scott Ogilvie Director Bechtel Group, Inc. Bruce B. Darling LLNS Board of Governors Executive Committee Vice President Laboratory Management UC Office of the President Sidney D. Drell LLNS Board of Governors Chair, Mission Committee Professor & Deputy Director Emeritus SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory William R. Frazer LLNS Board of Governors Executive Committee Chair, S&T Committee Senior Vice President Emeritus UC Office of the President Richard W. Mies LLNS Board of Governors Chair, Nuclear Weapons Complex Integration Committee Bruce D. Varner ...

Contributed by John: This is also long but a very interesting read if true... Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor June 10, 2011 Chu, white House Expected to Play Larger Role in LLNL Director Search -- Todd Jacobson Energy Secretary Steven Chu and officials at the White House are expected to assert themselves in the search for a new director at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, strongly pushing for candidates with more of a basic science and energy background after similar concerns raised during the recently completed Los Alamos National Laboratory director search came too late to influence the selection. Chu was lukewarm about the selection of Charlie McMillan as Los Alamos National Laboratory’s next director, NW&M Monitor has learned, initially favoring a candidate with more of a basic science and energy background before signing off on the choice. Several officials with knowledge of the search have confirmed that White House Science and Technology Policy a...

In solidarity with the group of UC retirees who experienced a setback in their benefits lawsuit, please give your feedback on judge Frank Roescher at: http://courthouseforum.com/forums/evaluationtrial.php

Anonymously contributed: Judge dismisses Livermore lab retirees' lawsuit Transfer of retiree health plan deemed legal By Suzanne Bohan Contra Costa Times Posted: 06/07/2011 03:17:40 PM PDT Updated: 06/08/2011 06:18:40 AM PDT A three-year legal battle by Lawrence Livermore Laboratory retirees over medical benefits has sustained a major setback, according to a spokesman for the plaintiffs. In a lawsuit against the regents of the University of California, four lab retirees argued that UC illegally transferred them into the health care plan of the entity that took over lab management from the university in 2007. But on May 27, an Oakland judge dismissed the lawsuit. The four plaintiffs, including a former associate lab director, are deciding whether they'll appeal. "This is, of course, very disappointing news for the retiree group," said Carl Whitaker, the group's spokesman. The group asserted that UC promised them lifetime health benefits comparable to...

Contributed by John: June 3, 2011 Dear members of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory community: I am writing to you as a follow up to my letter of April 12, 2011, regarding George Millers decision to retire. We have begun our process to search for the next director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). As part of this process, it is important that we hear directly from those who represent the real strength of the Laboratory the talented and dedicated LLNL staff. As stipulated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) partners, the University of California (UC) is responsible for leading the search for the new Laboratory director. The search process will be similar in scope and breadth to that which resulted in the recent successful recruitment of Charlie McMillan as the new director for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). It also is consistent with that used by the University in all searches for the chancellors of our campuses, as ...