MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, or FRIB, received approval from the U.S. Department of Energy to proceed with the project on Friday morning.
The approval, given the name Critical Decision 2, promised a commitment from the department to allow work on the project to begin.
A cost for the facility, which is expected to take until 2022 to complete, was solidified at about $730 million. It is expected that $94.5 million of the funding will come from the hands of MSU or state appropriations.
But despite the progress, no federal appropriation has been made yet. Although President Barack Obama and Congress have agreed on a $55 million appropriation, no formal appropriation bills have been passed through Congress this year.
With the beginning of construction tied to the appropriation, this might delay the start.
Once completed, the facility will allow researchers from across the country to study and make discoveries about rare isotope properties through a linear accelerator and other devices. FRIB first underwent review with the Department of Energy in April 2012.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
