PNNL

Abstract

Monthly economic diversity column for the Tri-City Herald. Excerpt: If you stop and think about it, some pretty interesting stuff has roots in the Tri-Cities, but reaches far beyond. Many Tri-Citians have gone on to be professional athletes, entertainers, scientists and engineers, doctors, lawyers, and humanitarians to name just a few. And a lot of groundbreaking discoveries—many born of strategic collaborations resulting from purposeful economic development efforts—have emerged from work at our local national laboratory. Just recently, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory entered into a $2M collaboration with Seattle biofuel producer Imperium Renewables and other partners to develop a new method to make renewable jet fuels. Successful development of the catalytic process, which converts biomass-based alcohols into renewable drop-in jet fuels, could lead to additional renewable jet fuel production facilities being built and operated in the Pacific Northwest.