NREL to National Laboratory of the Rockies: What a Name Change Means for Lab Facilities
Tall grass and yuccas blow the wind at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) which provides laboratory and office space for approximately 200 NREL researchers and support staff. NREL specializes in solar, wind, alternative fuels, geothermal and many other renewable energies. The lab sits west of downtown Denver on South Table Mountain in Golden, CO. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has been renamed the National Laboratory of the Rockies, effective December 1, 2025.
The US Department of Energy announced on December 1, 2025, that it has renamed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) the National Laboratory of the Rockies. The renaming is effective immediately and will be reflected in all public communications and official correspondence.
“The energy crisis we face today is unlike the crisis that gave rise to NREL,” said assistant secretary of energy Audrey Robertson in a press release. “We are no longer picking and choosing energy sources. Our highest priority is to invest in the scientific capabilities that will restore American manufacturing, drive down costs, and help this country meet its soaring energy demand. The National Laboratory of the Rockies will play a vital role in those efforts.”
“For decades, this laboratory and its scientific capabilities have pushed the boundaries of what's possible and delivered impact to the nation,” said Jud Virden, laboratory director of the National Laboratory of the Rockies, in a press release. “This new name embraces a broader applied energy mission entrusted to us by the Department of Energy to deliver a more affordable and secure energy future for all.”
Founded in response to the 1973 oil crisis, NREL spearheaded the development and integration of a broad array of technologies for every facet of the energy system, from generation to distribution to end use. The new name reflects the Trump administration's broader vision for the lab's applied energy research, which historically emphasized alternative and renewable sources of generation.
The name change reflects the trend of naming other national laboratories, such as Oak Ridge National Lab, Sandia National Laboratories, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, after their locations or nearby geographic features. The name “National Laboratory of the Rockies” refers to the lab’s location in Golden, CO.
Name change implications for laboratory facilities
Lab Design News contacted the National Laboratory of the Rockies for comment on how the name change might impact the laboratory facilities, including timelines and budgets for any updates to signage. As of press time, the laboratory has not been able to offer any guidance on how the name change may affect the physical facilities.
Generally speaking, renaming a research facility typically involves a coordinated series of administrative and physical changes. Administratively, formal approvals must be secured, property records updated, and any donor agreements or legal documents amended. Once these approvals are complete, a full signage inventory may be conducted, covering exterior and interior signs such as façade letters, plaques, monument signs, building directories, suite and door signs, and lab hazard signage. Branding and graphic standards—including fonts, logos, and accessibility requirements—are applied, and decisions are made regarding the retention of legacy names on certain plaques or markers.
The physical implementation involves budgeting, vendor procurement, permitting, fabrication, and installation. Costs can vary significantly depending on sign type and complexity, while permit reviews often take 10–30 business days. Fabrication times range from a few days for simple panels to up to eight weeks for custom or illuminated signs. Installation requires coordination of equipment, electrical work, and interior updates, while mandatory lab safety signage must be updated immediately to maintain compliance with EHS and OSHA standards. Overall, this process ensures that both branding and regulatory requirements are met during a building’s name change.
NREL’s insights on smarter, safer labs
At the May 2025 Lab Design Conference in Denver, Rachel Romero and Tanna Tennyson of NREL (now National Laboratory of the Rockies) presented on designing energy-efficient laboratories without compromising safety or performance. They highlighted the Federal Energy Management Program’s Smart Labs initiative, offering practical tools, examples, and lessons for transforming high-energy labs into high-performance, sustainable facilities. Their session provided attendees with actionable strategies for creating smarter, leaner, and safer lab environments.
Read more: Advancing Efficiency in Laboratory Design: Actionable Insights from NREL
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