For the third straight year, the Department of Energy has awarded the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory an "outstanding" rating, the highest possible evaluation.

The top grade comes with a $7 million reward for Battelle, which operates the Richland-based lab for the federal government, as well as harder to measure plums such as morale boosts for the staff of scientists and administrators and an improved public image.

Lura Powell, PNNL director, praised the Battelle staff for managing to win three outstanding ratings in a row and expressed optimism the lab will achieve the same rating again next year.

"I think this gives a lot of credit to our staff," Powell said. "For me, having the money is nice, but the really important thing is this shows we really do run an outstanding workplace, and it shows broadly to the community how well this lab is run."

Keith Klein, DOE's Hanford manager, congratulated Battelle for the recognition.

"Since 1965, PNNL has used experience, innovation and forward thinking to create one of the premier multipurpose national laboratories in the nation," Klein said in a statement.

"Whether it's leading-edge molecular and cellular biology research, earth systems science, or computer science and information technology, PNNL continues to prove itself as a leader in basic science and quality research and development," Klein said.

Paul Kruger, associate manager for science and technology, said the lab's emphasis on results-oriented science was starting to pay dividends as it prepares for a post-cleanup future at Hanford.

"The laboratory is working hard to build effective partnerships with DOE, the local community and the region," Kruger said in a statement, "laying the foundation for putting our assets to work for the future as we strive to accelerate the Hanford cleanup."

The overall rating was based on three main categories: leadership and management, science and technology and operations.

The broad-based scoring requires the lab to not only produce excellent science, but also show that it's managed efficiently and its workers contribute to the Tri-City community.

Powell said the work of Team Battelle, the lab's group of employees who donate time and money on a variety of nonprofit community projects, helped win the rating.

The lab also made significant progress in the science and technology category, Powell said, noting the continued success of its Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a multipurpose facility open to scientists from around the world.

The number of visiting scientists using the lab was up substantially over last year, she said.

Powell also noted the lab's progress in the field of proteomics, the large-scale study of how proteins work. The research could help make it possible to cure or prevent all types of health problems, from cancer to heart disease.

Battelle scientists have already proved it's possible to quickly analyze proteins, a critical piece of the research, and officials have proposed building a new research lab in Richland similar to the EMSL facility.

The lab has also done some noteworthy work on fuel cells, new technology at Hanford and in the field of national security, Powell said.

"We've made very important contributions across the board," she said.

Finally, the lab was praised for its work helping six new business startups and four expansions of existing businesses this year.