SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $68 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR ROCHESTER LASER LAB HAS PASSED CONGRESS – URGES PRESIDENT TO SIGN-OFF & MAKE FUNDS A REALITY

Federal Funds Will Go to Critical Programs that Protect Nation, Secure & Protect Over 300 Jobs in New York

Schumer: Funding Will Help Keep Rochester at the Forefront of Laser Technology and Guarantees It Plays A Role In Solving Critical Problems for Our Nation

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Omnibus spending bill including $68 million for the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) has passed in both the House and Senate. The bill has cleared Congress and will head to the President’s desk for his final signature.Schumer continued his multi-year effort of advocating for increased funding for LLE during the appropriations process this year and this funding will allow the University of Rochester to continue the critical work being done at its lab. This allocation is an increase of $4 million over the $64 million allocated to the Lab in Fiscal Year 2014 and over $9 million more than the $58.75 million allocated to the Lab last year under sequestration. With this funding, the University of Rochester will be able to continue its critical research and work in fusion power, which has the potential to completely eradicate U.S. dependence on foreign oil. This 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 funding will allow the University of Rochester laser lab to continue its world-class research in fusion power. It will also ensure that the lab is not forced to lay off scientists and engineers and that their partnerships with national laboratories do not suffer,” said Senator Schumer. “This worthwhile funding will keep the University of Rochester at the cutting edge of high-tech innovation and maintain Rochester as a job-creating center of laser innovation.”

Established in 1970, the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) of the University of Rochester is a unique national resource for research and education in science and technology and a major asset of the University not found at any other university in the country. Both the Rochester area and the University have a history of innovation that provides a singular environment for LLE within a technologically sophisticated scientific community.

LLE is home to the OMEGA laser, which is the second most powerful ultraviolet fusion laser in the world, and the OMEGA EP (Extended Performance) laser, a high-intensity, high-energy short-pulse laser, and serves as the principal laser research facility for three national laboratories.  The center’s primary goal is to investigate the interaction of intense radiation with matter and to support the National Ignition Campaign (NIC) using OMEGA and OMEGA EP as well as validate advanced concepts for ICF to be used on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in order to demonstrate ignition and energy gain.  It is a vital component of our nation’s scientific capital and leadership, and key to strategic work on an independent energy future.

As one of the leading institutions training the next generation of leaders in the fields of physics, optics, and material science, LLE is an economic development magnet that bolsters local high tech jobs and attracts scientific talent to Rochester.  The LLE currently employs 316 full-time staff members, 20 University Faculty members and 5 contract employees. Since its inception, the LLE has attracted almost $2 billion to New York State to support cutting edge research, and more than 1,000 individuals are currently involved in the program. Through the LLE’s mission, the University also attracts as many as 300 additional visiting scientists each year to Rochester from national laboratories, universities, and companies and currently hosts over 141 students (graduate, undergraduate, and high school).

Last year, the University of Rochester requested funding under the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for its Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). The funding was used to develop new laser and materials technologies, provide education in electro-optics, and conduct research and development in advanced technology related to high-energy-density physics. In 2009, Schumer urged his colleagues in Congress to support additional funding so the Laser Lab could avoid drastic budgets cuts and layoffs.

In 2010, Senator Schumer announced that President Obama’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2011 included $62.5M in funding for Rochester University’s Laser Lab and pledged to continue to work for funds to strengthen this first-class institution.

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