RICHLAND, Wash. – Several employees at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) faced layoffs today, marking a significant change at the facility.

Battelle, the laboratory operator, issued a statement explaining the recent decisions.

The company had offered voluntary separation to staff in operational areas, but not enough employees stepped forward. Consequently, layoffs were implemented.

"Battelle, as operator of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, makes its own operational and personnel decisions in alignment with the Department of Energy and federal sponsor budget and research priorities," Battelle said in the statement.

The statement did not specify the number of people affected by the layoffs. However, it was noted that furloughs and layoffs had begun as early as Au

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