Recent Press Releases

Washington, D.C. —  Senator John Thune today met with officials of the National Science Foundation and scientists from across the country to discuss the future of the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) at the Homestake Mine outside of Lead, South Dakota.

"We need to take the next step in establishing the mission of the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory," said Thune. "I look forward to continuing to work with South Dakota officials, the National Science Foundation, and members of the
academic community to keep the DUSEL project moving forward. This project is important to the future of scientific discovery and the future of South Dakota."

Roughly 200 scientists and key federal agency officials attended today's open meeting to discuss the scientific and education potential of DUSEL. The Town Hall meeting also allowed project sponsors to present the upcoming site-specific technical design of the envisioned Homestake laboratory. This open meeting will be followed by the National Science Foundation hosting a series of workshops on Saturday and Sunday concerning all underground research disciplines (Physics, Astrophysics, Biology, Earth Sciences and Engineering) to focus on the next phases of the project.

In September, Senator Thune hosted Dr. Tony Chan, Assistant Director of the National Science Foundation, at meetings at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City and Homestake in Lead.