Brookhaven National Laboratory Electron Ion-Collider Will Spur Discovery For Decades To Come

Press Release

Since its founding in 1947, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has grown to be a hub of world renown scientific discoveries, resulting in seven Nobel Prizes and an everlasting relationship with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to find solutions to our nation's energy, environmental, and technological challenges. After more than 70 years of operation, BNL continues to serve as a shining beacon of discovery and innovation within the scientific community.

With the help of BNL's Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, scientists continued to unlock the mysteries of nature, but it became clear over time that new technology was needed to delve deeper into the building blocks of the universe.

As the reality of a new ion collider emerged over the horizon, BNL, facing stiff competition from other national labs, put together an application for this project with strong technicals, strategy and community support. Along the way, I had the opportunity to provide key insight to the lab on ideas to strengthen their request.

I worked directly and very closely with Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, DOE Undersecretary for Science Paul Dabbar, and BNL leadership, to help steer this project to NY-1. Through the many dozens of texts, meetings and phone calls that took place between us, it was abundantly clear that Secretary Brouillette understood the gravity of my request and the importance that BNL be selected for this $2 billion Electron Ion Collider dream machine.

BNL has pioneered the future of clean and green energy, medical and cancer research, and astrophysics, encouraging and cultivating the minds of future generations of scientists in the process. The ground-breaking discoveries of its scientists and their unparalleled work speaks for itself, and it was an honor, as co-chair of the National Labs Caucus and BNL's representative in Congress, to successfully advocate for BNL's selection as the site of the Electron-Ion Collider.

This cutting edge project will inject billions of dollars and an extensive number of jobs into New York's First Congressional District, all while churning out scores of scientific discoveries that help us understand the world around us, harness the untapped potential of the natural world and, from human health to our national security and beyond, benefit nearly every aspect of our lives. Furthermore, this never-before-seen technology will make BNL and our district a destination for the next generation of scientists, attracting some of our world's best and brightest.

The Electron Ion Collider will be used by researchers to use a strong force to collide electrons with protons and nuclei, providing researchers a never before seen view of the inner structures of the particles that make up the universe. With this new Electron Ion Collider, the potential for discovery is limitless, and soon it'll be right here on Long Island.

Congressman Lee Zeldin represents New York's First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives where he serves as Co-Chair of the National Labs Caucus.

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