U.S. scientific infrastructure needs attention
President Donald Trump has vowed to strengthen America through a $1 trillion infrastructure plan to repair the nation’s ruined roads, crumbling bridges and dilapidated railways. No question we need to do that, but we must include our nation’s scientific infrastructure — the national laboratories, research facilities, state-ofthe-art instruments and hardware that train our high-tech workforce and propel American innovation.
Our nation’s scientific infrastructure is as fundamental to our economy as any road, bridge or railway. And just like our roads and bridges, America’s science infrastructure needs upgrading. The disrepair is now jeopardizing our nation’s competitive advantage. With our counterparts in Europe and Asia increasing their investments in research and development, the U.S. must upgrade its science infrastructure — the essential scaffolding that directly supports more than 17 million U.S. jobs.
Now is the moment for U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, to work with his colleagues and the president to support a robust scientific infrastructure plan. The timing is perfect, as the president prepares to release his budget Thursday .
For this to work, we have to invest in only what we need. The U.S. scientific enterprise is a broad but well-balanced, integrated system. Because of its complexity, we must ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent only on the necessary projects. We can’t let this infrastructure plan turn into a government boondoggle.
There should be some guiding principles to help determine the infrastructure investments. To start, I’ll suggest two:
• Public value: We should only invest in projects that provide a broadly shared benefit.
• Upgrade: We should only invest in projects that require a one-time investment and not require new, substantial and growing administrative costs.
Agencies and relevant research groups should vet any firm rules. Using such principles, the course of declining infrastructure can be reversed. The national labs and federal science agencies have shovel-ready plans; the technology is available; and we have a capable workforce. The Trump infrastructure plan provides the opportunity to revitalize the nation’s scientific infrastructure — restoring jobs and the U.S. competitive advantage.
The National Science Foundation operates a Major Research Instrumentation program that could potentially fund infrastructure projects at many universities in Texas and across the country. Similarly, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science operates the Science Laboratories Infrastructure program, which provides state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure in support of scientific discovery.
History has proved that America knows how to lead an infrastructure initiative. Starting with the Manhattan Project in 1942, the U.S. government began developing a science research infrastructure through investments in national laboratories, universities and federal research facilities. Within three decades, the U.S. had established a scientific enterprise unrivaled by any other nation.
During the last half-century, more than 50 percent of U.S. economic growth sprang from our scientific infrastructure. Because of that investment, Americans can boast new technologies, innovations, industries and jobs that have improved our lives.
Now is the time to get the U.S. back on the right track. Smith can help that happen. He and his colleagues can urge the president to make the smart move and invest in a robust plan for scientific infrastructure. Science has never let us down.