Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 29, 1990 TAG: 9003290330
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short
The House Science, Space and Technology Committee gave the $8 billion superconducting super collider its first congressional authorization by a 32-9 vote after an emotionally charged debate on the rising cost and questions about technology.
The committee defeated attempts by Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., to bar all construction on the collider, to be built south of Dallas, until the energy secretary certifies the superconducting magnets - a key component - could be mass produced by industry.
Chairman Robert A. Roe, D-N.J., said Boehlert's amendment could result in an 18-month delay costing $1.5 billion to $2 billion.
The Energy Department originally estimated the total cost at $4.4 billion, then increased the price to $5.9 billion last year. DOE officials are suggesting the cost could be closer to $8 billion.
The super collider involves a 54-mile underground ring in which streams of protons, guided by the powerful magnets, would be hurled at almost the speed of light until they smash together and break into even smaller particles. Scientists say it would recreate the physical state of the universe after the "Big Bang," a theory that the expansion of the universe began with a gigantic explosion.
The bill now goes to the House floor. - Associated Press
by CNB