Schumer, Gillibrand Announces $68 Million In fed Funding For Rochester Laser Lab Has Passed Senate Appropriations Committee

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Appropriations Committee passed an Energy and Water Appropriations bill that includes $68 million for the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). Schumer and Gillibrand continued their multi-year effort of advocating for funding for LLE during the appropriations process this year and this funding will ensure the University of Rochester can continue the critical research being done in at the lab. The FY2016 funding will remain the same as FY2015, which will allow LLE to avoid potential layoffs, support roughly 300 local jobs and keep the facility fully funded. The funding will provide the necessary resources to support the lab's research program and operations and experiments on OMEGA, which is the second most powerful ultraviolet fusion laser in the world. Absent this level of funding, the lab could have been forced to lay off scientists and engineers, and reduce their capacity and partnerships with national laboratories.

"This is a major milestone in our quest to secure the funding needed to allow the University of Rochester laser lab to continue its world-class research in fusion power. It will also ensure the lab can continue supporting roughly 300 local jobs and will not be forced to lay off the scientists and engineers who are the force behind the lab's great work," said Senator Schumer. "This funding will keep the U of R at the forefront of this cutting-edge research and provide good-paying jobs to the people of Rochester."

"This critical funding will help keep the University of Rochester at the forefront of our nation's scientific research," said Senator Gillibrand. "The University of Rochester has the reputation, knowhow and resources to advance this critical industry- creating the jobs and growing businesses of the future here in New York."

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