Department of Energy taps Battelle Executive as Fossil Fuel Adviser

Battelle and the United States Department of Energy (DOE) historically have a strong working relationship. After all, Battelle is the world’s largest independent research and development organization and it manages or co-manages six national laboratories for the DOE. That close association has given rise to the movement of a key executive from Battelle to the DOE. Chuck McConnell has moved from Columbus to Washington, D.C. to serve as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy (FE), the third highest ranking executive in the organization. As the COO, he serves as the principle advisor to the Assistant Secretary and the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary on operational issues affecting the FE organization. He manages the operations of FE programs, including development, design, operation, and improvements in the oversight of FE research, development, demonstration and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve activities. For the past two years, McConnell has been Vice President of Carbon Management heading Battelle’s multi-million dollar carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) program. The move indicates Battelle and McConnell’s success at managing demonstration projects for the DOE and the overall strength of the science behind it. It also allows the DOE to leverage the knowledge and experience of one of its major contractors. About Battelle As the world’s largest, independent research and development organization, Battelle provides innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management; National Security; Health and Life Sciences; and Energy, Environment and Material Sciences. It advances scientific discovery and application by conducting $6.5 billion in global R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management and technology commercialization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle oversees 22,000 employees in more than 130 locations worldwide, including seven national laboratories which Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a nuclear energy lab in the United Kingdom.