A U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Under Secretary with key energy policy responsibilities visited the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Pittsburgh site Tuesday, Oct. 30, to discuss the Laboratory’s national research and see cutting-edge technical facilities first-hand.

NETL Acting Director Sean Plasynski, Ph.D., hosted the visit by Under Secretary of Energy Mark Menezes. NETL is DOE’s only national laboratory dedicated to fossil energy research and development.

Under Secretary Menezes serves as the Department’s principal advisor on energy policy and a wide array of existing and emerging energy technologies. He is responsible for driving transformative energy policy, and technology solutions through coordinated planning, management and performance of the Department’s energy programs.

“NETL has been aggressive in its pursuit of technological solutions to fossil energy challenges,” Plasynski said. “We have an exciting story to tell and we are delighted about the opportunity to tell it to our distinguished visitors because of their important leadership roles and because we believe our mission to innovate for the nation’s energy future is critical to its economic growth and national security.”

When Under Secretary Menezes visited NETL Pittsburgh, he observed a national laboratory providing flexible, dynamic expertise and capabilities to its public and private sector customers throughout the nation. The Laboratory is focused on:

• Improving the performance, reliability, and efficiency of the existing coal-fired fleet
• Advancing small-scale modular coal plants of the future, which are highly efficient and flexible, with near-zero emissions
• Reducing the cost of carbon capture
• Creating new market opportunities for coal
• Advancing unconventional oil and gas development and delivery, leveraging big data and machine learning tools

NETL’s mission is to discover, integrate, and mature technology solutions to enhance the nation’s energy foundation and protect the environment for future generations.