Washington, D.C. – New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today praised the $184.3 million
investment from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in Brookhaven
National Laboratory on Long Island. The dollars being invested come
from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, which Senator
Gillibrand helped pass last month. The DOE funding will specifically
go to support the laboratory’s construction of the National Synchrotron
Light Source II, focusing on making advancements in clean, sustainable
and affordable sources of energy.
The
funds will also support the lab’s immediate infrastructure needs, such
as the construction of an Interdisciplinary Sciences Building to house
high-accuracy instruments for research in solar energy and biofuels,
and to accelerate the acquisition of experimental equipment for
Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC).
“This
is great news for Brookhaven National Laboratory and for all of Long
Island,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Brookhaven National Laboratory is a
major economic engine for Long Island. This funding will help create
jobs and keep Long Island at the forefront of scientific research.”
Brookhaven
National Laboratory employs approximately 3,000 scientists, engineers,
technicians and others working on cutting edge research for the U.S.
Department of Energy, and translating that research into private sector
solutions and support for local communities. Their work also educates
the next generation of researchers and scientists to strengthen New
York for the long term. The Long Island laboratory has been awarded
six Nobel Prizes for its work.
Senator
Gillibrand is committed to solutions that will create good-paying jobs
in New York and invest in the state’s long-term economic growth.
Senator Gillibrand is a strong supporter of President Obama’s economic
plan, which will create or save more than 215,000 jobs for New York and
ensure a strong economic future through investments in infrastructure,
renewable energy, health care technology and education.