Argonne National Laboratory is set to receive a $99 million stimulus boost to help accelerate environmental cleanup work, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced on Tuesday.

The funding for the suburban Chicago lab is the second significant injection of stimulus cash for Argonne. Last week Sen. Richard Durbin and Rep. Bill Foster announced it would receive $13.1 million to upgrade and replace major electrical switches and equipment.

Tuesday's announcement is a portion of $6 billion in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will be used for environmental cleanup and job creation. The Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management will manage the project's funding.

The announcement is "more great news for Illinois" and will create jobs while reducing environmental risks associated with Argonne's work, Durbin said. Fellow Illinois Democrat Sen. Roland Burris said the funding supports vital projects for the state.

 

"This funding will not only bring job opportunities to our state but will also help to protect our environment," Burris said.

The funding will address a long-term need, Chu said in a statement. The money will speed up the demolition of contaminated facilities, improve defense facilities and quicken the pace of cleanup projects at the lab, putting them several years ahead of schedule.

"These investments will put Americans to work while cleaning up contamination from the cold war era," Chu said. "It reflects our commitment to future generations as well as to help local economies get moving again."

 

Source: Chicago Tribune