Langevin Applauds Funding for RI Nuclear Science Center at URI

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a $150,000 grant for the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center (RINSC), located on the University of Rhode Island’s Bay Campus in Narragansett, to upgrade equipment in support of the facility’s research and education activities. RINSC operates one of the few research reactors in the Northeast and has not only proven invaluable to nuclear scientists, but has also conducted extensive research in areas such as atmospheric chemistry and geology.  Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), who wrote a letter of support for the center’s application, praised the award as a valuable investment.

“This funding will help ensure the center has the best equipment and infrastructure possible to conduct cutting-edge research and educate the next generation of scientists and engineers,” said Langevin. “At a time when we need to build a highly-skilled workforce and promote American leadership in high-tech fields, the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center’s initiatives are giving students vital hands-on experience.”

Langevin has made workforce development in high-tech industries a top priority, recognizing the potential for them to create jobs in Rhode Island if people have the necessary training. He has set up a model for this effort through his local cybersecurity initiatives, launching a high school cyber competition to cultivate young talent and forming a partnership between businesses and colleges to ensure the state is at the forefront of advances in the field.

The Nuclear Science Center will use its new resources to upgrade the instrumentation and control systems of the center’s reactor. The funding is part of the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP), which are used to educate the next generation of nuclear scientists and to keep the U.S. at the forefront of advanced nuclear science research and technology development.