Homestake: What's Next?

By Matthew Holsen, KELO Land TV
Article Source

The decision is made. But the competition isn't over.

National Science Foundation Assistant Director Dr. Tony Chan says the Sanford Lab at Homestake will now compete against other projects to gain funding from Congress. Senator John Thune believes South Dakota's project has an advantage.

"I can tell you without naming names there was a lot of strong competition from around the country. So I congratulate the DUSEL Homestake team for coming out ahead," Chan said.

"I think that the competition is going to be keen. There are a lot of worthy projects that are also vying for consideration that we are competing with but I think the research being proposed at the underground lab has some incredible applications in the area of energy and homeland security. I think we have a very good story to tell," he said.

Representative Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin agrees.

"A Deep Underground Science Laboratory is a national asset and we here in South Dakota take care of our national assets. Whether it's a national monument or an Air Force base and we will do the same," she said.

And with his new seat on the Commerce Committee, which oversees this type of project, Thune is positive about the future of the old gold mine.

"I'm hopeful. I'm optimistic and like I said I think the sky is the limit as to what we can accomplish if we can get this thing built and funded," Chan said.

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