Big renovations at NY biolab

The Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York will receive a $30 million expansion and upgrade, despite the fact that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said it might shut the lab down when a new facility goes into operation in 2013.Planned improvements to the 55-year-old facility will include a new 8,000 square feet animal wing, a conversion of 2,500 existing square feet to new BSL-3 space, and a new firehouse/motor pool building. Upgrades will modernize the water system, the electrical system, the cold-water chillers, and the wastewater decontamination system. In December 2002 the Center lost power for three hours when its backup generators failed.DHS spokesman Chris Kelly told The Scientist that DHS requested the Plum Island improvements in 2003, just after it assumed control of the facility, formerly overseen by the Department of Agriculture. The decision to spend this money ?is completely separate? from the Department?s decision build a new $451 million, 500,000 square feet National Bio- and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF), he said, and there has been no decision regarding whether to keep Plum Island open along with the NBAF.?Until the NBAF is fully operational, Kelly said, Plum Island ?will continue its important mission by educating veterinarians about foreign animal diseases and continuing to develop novel diagnostic techniques and preventatives.?Jon Schneider, press secretary to Congressman Tim Bishop, whose district includes Plum Island, told The Scientist that Bishop has asked DHS Secretary Chertoff to keep Plum Island open. ?We received no assurances about the future of Plum Island.?Alan Pearson, a former DHS advisor now with the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, said that although he doesn?t know DHS? plans, ?In my opinion, this notice means that DHS is keeping its options open with regard to the future of the Plum Island facility after NBAF comes on line.? Harley Moon, a former Plum Island director, said $30 million in improvements might be needed just to keep research at Plum Island safe. ?It?s a horrendous cost, I know,? he said, ?but we?re stuck with Plum Island right now, and that?s the cost of doing business.? Regarding the NBAF, the DHS has received 29 applications from 22 states and the District of Columbia, Kelly said. ?At some point in the coming weeks a select list of applicants will be announced,? he said.John Dudley Miller jmiller@the-scientist.comLinks within this articleDepartment of Homeland Security Plum Island Animal Disease Center Fact Sheet www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/press_release/press_release_0176.xml?A-E Services for programming & design of integrated facility improvements at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center,? Federal Business Opportunities, June 9, 2006. www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/FLETC/FLETCBPB/LGL06R00012/SynopsisR.htmlDepartment of Homeland Security Plum Island FAQs, Question 36 www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0808.xmlGovernment Accountability Office, "Combating bioterrorism: Actions need to improve security at Plum Island Animal Disease Center," GAO report number GAO-03-847, October 20, 2003 www.gao.gov/htext/d03847.htmlJ.D. Miller, ?US homeland security to build animal biolab,? The Scientist, February 6, 2006 www.the-scientist.com/news/display/23091/?Congressman Bishop, Senator Clinton discuss Plum Island?s future with Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff,? October 6, 2005 wwwc.house.gov/timbishop/r109-051.htmCenter for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation www.armscontrolcenter.org/cbw Harley Moon www.vetmed.iastate.edu/faculty_staff/profiles/hwmoon.aspJ.D. Miller, ?More applicants for US bio-agro lab,? The Scientist, May 17, 2006 http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/23454/

Big renovations at NY biolab

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