Brookhaven Energy Light Source Project Generates 2,000 Jobs

By Jodi Lieberman

As a result of $150 million in funding from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), the construction of the National Synchrotron Light Source II at Brookhaven National Laboratory is creating nearly 2,000 jobs. The project is expected to be completed in 2014 – a year ahead of schedule.

On Oct. 13, 2010, construction workers and Brookhaven and U.S. Department of Energy officials, invited guests and lab staff signed the final beam to close the ring building of the NSLS-II, which has been under construction since 2009.

NSLS-II will be the world’s most advanced synchrotron light source, providing new tools for science to enhance national and energy security and drive abundant, safe and clean energy technologies.  It will be 10,000 times brighter than the present NSLS at Brookhaven.

According to Brookhaven’s web site,  “…NSLS-II is creating more than 1,250 construction jobs and 450 scientific, engineering and support jobs, plus additional jobs at U.S. material suppliers and service providers.”

Construction workers from Local 137, Local 15D and Local 1281 in New York said funding for the site meant that they would receive steady paychecks and health insurance to take care of their families.