# Idaho National Laboratory > United States Department of Energy complex located in the high desert of eastern Idaho **Wikidata**: [Q1314158](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1314158) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho_National_Laboratory) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/idaho-national-laboratory ## Summary Idaho National Laboratory has the United States Department of Energy as its parent organization. ## Summary Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a United States Department of Energy research institute located in the high desert of eastern Idaho. Established in 1949, it is a key facility for nuclear energy research, testing, and development, operated by Battelle Memorial Institute. ## Key Facts - **Research institute** – Primary purpose is research, with a sitelink count of 41. - **Affiliated with William L. Harrison** – Computer scientist with a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2001). - **Founded in 1949** – Originally known as the National Reactor Testing Station (NRTS). - **Operated by Battelle Memorial Institute** – Manages the facility under the U.S. Department of Energy. - **Located in Idaho Falls, Idaho** – Coordinates: 43.533333°N, 112.944722°W. - **Employees: 5,700** – As of available data. - **Aliases include INL, INEL, and INEEL** – Reflects historical name changes. - **Timezone: Mountain Time Zone** – Standard time for operations. - **Member of Idaho Nonprofit Center** – Registered as of 2025-06-03. - **Social media presence** – Active on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. ## FAQs ### Q: What is the primary purpose of Idaho National Laboratory? A: Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a research institute focused on nuclear energy research, testing, and development, primarily under the U.S. Department of Energy. ### Q: Who operates Idaho National Laboratory? A: The facility is operated by Battelle Memorial Institute, a nonprofit organization, under the U.S. Department of Energy. ### Q: Where is Idaho National Laboratory located? A: The laboratory is located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, within the high desert of eastern Idaho. ### Q: How many employees work at Idaho National Laboratory? A: As of available data, the laboratory employs approximately 5,700 people. ### Q: What are some historical names of Idaho National Laboratory? A: The facility has been known by several names, including the National Reactor Testing Station (NRTS), Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL), and Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). ## Why It Matters Idaho National Laboratory plays a critical role in advancing nuclear energy research and development. As a U.S. Department of Energy facility, it supports the nation’s nuclear energy programs, including reactor testing, waste management, and advanced energy technologies. The laboratory’s work contributes to national security, energy independence, and environmental stewardship. Its high-desert location provides an ideal environment for large-scale testing and research, making it a cornerstone of the U.S. nuclear energy infrastructure. ## Notable For - **Historical significance** – Originally established as the National Reactor Testing Station (NRTS) in 1949, it has evolved into a leading nuclear research facility. - **Nuclear testing and research** – Conducts critical experiments for reactor safety, waste management, and advanced energy systems. - **Operational longevity** – Has maintained continuous operations for over seven decades, adapting to modern nuclear energy needs. - **Battelle Memorial Institute partnership** – Operated by Battelle, a long-standing nonprofit organization, ensuring independent and expert management. - **Global recognition** – Recognized internationally for its contributions to nuclear science and engineering. ## Body ### Founding and History Idaho National Laboratory was founded in 1949 as the **National Reactor Testing Station (NRTS)**, initially focused on nuclear reactor testing. Over the decades, it evolved through name changes, including the **Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL)** and **Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL)**, reflecting its expanding scope in nuclear energy and environmental research. ### Operations and Research The laboratory is operated by **Battelle Memorial Institute**, a nonprofit organization, under the **U.S. Department of Energy**. Its primary missions include: - **Nuclear reactor testing** – Evaluating materials and systems for safety and performance. - **Waste management** – Researching solutions for nuclear waste storage and disposal. - **Advanced energy technologies** – Developing next-generation nuclear and renewable energy systems. ### Location and Infrastructure Located in **Idaho Falls, Idaho**, the facility sits in the **high desert of eastern Idaho**, providing an ideal environment for large-scale testing and research. Key infrastructure includes: - **Research reactors** – Facilities for nuclear material testing. - **Testing grounds** – Areas for experimental nuclear and energy systems. - **Support facilities** – Laboratories, offices, and administrative buildings. ### Affiliations and Recognition Idaho National Laboratory is affiliated with **William L. Harrison**, a computer scientist with a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2001). The facility is recognized globally for its contributions to nuclear science and engineering, with a **sitelink count of 41** on Wikipedia. ### Social Media and Outreach The laboratory maintains an active presence on social media, including **Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube**, with over **5,660 followers** as of 2023. These platforms are used for outreach, research updates, and public engagement. ### Future Directions As part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear energy programs, Idaho National Laboratory continues to innovate in reactor safety, waste management, and advanced energy technologies, ensuring its role in shaping the future of nuclear energy. ## References 1. GRID Release 2017-01-10 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. [Source](https://web.idahononprofits.org/search) 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 5. GRID Release 2015-12-14 6. GRID Release 2016-12-06 7. Open Funder Registry 8. Quora 9. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions 10. [Source](https://www.iana.org/assignments/enterprise-numbers/enterprise-numbers) 11. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph 12. HAL 13. YouTube API