Wamp Visits National Transportation Research Center
August 20, 2003
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Congressman Wamp in one of the FEERC's research vehicles |
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| Dr. Jeffrey Wadsworth points out a feature of the TMAC (Test Machine for Automotive Crashworthiness), a unique piece of experimental equipment used to gather data on the crush performance of materials. Left to right: Congressman Wamp; Dr. Wadsworth, ORNL Director; and Dr. Michael Starbuck, research staff member. |
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Katey Lenox, ORNL research staff member, explains the Watt Road Environmental Laboratory Initiative to Congressman Wamp. Left to right: Ms. Lenox; Dr. Jeffrey Wadsworth, ORNL Director; Ed Wall, DOE FCVT Director; Gerald Boyd, DOE/ORO Director; Congressman Wamp; and Jim Reafsnyder, DOE/ORO. |
U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, Tennessee's 3rd District, views the National Transportation Research Center (NTRC) as a bonus to the efforts of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to promote research programs in the area of energy efficiency.
"This gives me some background I need regarding funding for energy efficiency here," Wamp said August 20, 2003, after touring the NTRC and receiving a briefing from Gil Gilliland, associate lab director for energy and engineering sciences, and Dick Ziegler, director of the ORNL Transportation Program.
Wamp is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which determines funding levels for all federal programs.
Included in the congressman's tour were the new Test Machine for Automotive Crashworthiness (TMAC), hybrid lighting, and the Fuels, Engines and Emissions Research Center (FEERC).
The FEERC tour highlighted two current research projects: engine control for NOx adsorber regeneration and desulfation, and the Watt Road Environmental Laboratory Initiative.
Accompanying Wamp was Gerald Boyd, manager of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Oak Ridge Operations.
A photo of Wamp examining the hybrid lighting apparatus outside the NTRC appeared in the next day's edition of The Knoxville News-Sentinel.
The congressman expressed interest in developing stronger ties at the NTRC with University of Tennessee students who want to conduct research there. Wamp applauded the joint relationship between the university and laboratory that has existed at the center since its opening during the fall of 2000.