SRS Ecology Lab gets more funding in budget

By BRUCE SMITHAssociated Press Writer

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Lawmakers on both sides of the Savannah River announced Tuesday that the Department of Energy will provide $4.3 million to help operate the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory during the federal fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. But the money is just more than half of the $7.8 million the lab got this year for its ecological research at the Savannah River Site.

And it was not clear whether additional money can be found or whether there will be some layoffs at the lab employing about 180 people. In February, the entire $7.8 million in federal money for the lab was trimmed in the Bush Administration’s budget. The total lab budget is $11 million, with the difference coming from grants and other outside sources.

Carl Strojan, the lab’s associate director, did not immediately return a telephone call Tuesday seeking comment. Lawmakers from South Carolina and Georgia thanked Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman for listening to their concerns and restoring some of the money.