A Bechtel subsidiary will continue to operate and manage two atomic power laboratories for the U.S. Navy and Energy Department under two-five year extensions worth $13 billion combined.
Bechtel Marine Propulsion will work at the Bettis and Knolls facilities until at least Sept. 30, 2018 under the Naval Reactors Program, Bechtel said Friday.
“The work being done at the Bettis and Knolls Atomic Power Laboratories is critical to our national defense, ” said Craig Albert, president of Bechtel’s government services unit.
Under the program, Bechtel Marine Propulsion performs research and development work on nuclear propulsion facilities for U.S. vessels.
Bechtel Marine Propulsion also works to train and certify the Navy’s nuclear operators and manage nuclear energy used by the Navy.
Nearly 7, 000 staff members conduct the work in Charleston, S.C., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Pittsburgh, and West Milton and Schenectady, N.Y.
Bechtel has supported the Bettis lab for about 14 years.
