Senator Gillibrand Highlights Federal Funding That Will Support Cutting-Edge Research Programs And National Labs Like Brookhaven National Laboratory On Long Island

Senator Gillibrand Highlights Federal Funding That Will Support Cutting-Edge Research Programs And National Labs Like Brookhaven National Laboratory On Long Island

Apr 8, 2024

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited and toured Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) to highlight the $8.24 billion she helped secure in the recent government funding bill for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science. As the nation's primary sponsor of research in the physical sciences, the Office of Science supports the work of BNL and DOE's other national laboratories across the country, which collectively employ more than 50,000 workers. With the funding it receives from the DOE Office of Science, BNL conducts cutting-edge research that helps improve our nation's energy security, address environmental challenges, and produce innovative technological breakthroughs that help fuel our economy and create jobs.

"This funding is an important investment that will ensure Long Island continues to be at the forefront of scientific progress and the high-tech economy," said Senator Gillibrand. "Brookhaven National Laboratory is an incredible asset for New York and the nation. Scientists from around the world are drawn to Brookhaven to conduct cutting-edge research that is vital to our nation's homeland security, and BNL creates thousands of local jobs for the Long Island economy. I was proud to fight for this funding, and I will continue to work with my Senate colleagues to ensure that BNL has the necessary support to succeed in the years ahead."

Gillibrand was joined by Brookhaven National Laboratory Director JoAnne Hewett.

The DOE Office of Science is the nation's lead federal agency supporting basic research in the physical sciences. The office oversees 10 of the 17 DOE laboratories, including Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island.

Brookhaven National Lab's National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) is a scientific user facility that creates beams of light 10 billion times brighter than the sun, enabling researchers to study the atomic structure, elemental properties, and electronic behavior of materials. The research conducted at NSLS-II allows scientists to make strides in energy security, advanced manufacturing, quantum materials, and a broad range of other disciplines.