Jay Rockefeller: “Senator Edwards' amendment establishes a Technology Partnership Ombudsman at Department of Energy's National…”

“Senator Edwards' amendment establishes a Technology Partnership Ombudsman at Department of Energy's National Laboratories. It is my understanding that the Ombudsman should promote the use of collaborative alternative dispute resolution techniques such as mediation to facilitate the speedy and low-cost resolution of complaints and disputes with industry partners. To ensure fairness and objectivity, however, it would be the Senator's intent that nothing in this Section be interpreted to empower the Ombudsman to act as a mediator or an arbitrator in the process.”