WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., asked the head of the National Science Foundation Wednesday about the future of the Green Bank Observatory as the foundation weighs out the facility’s future.
The observatory conducts radio-wavelength research as well as education programs for the public.
The government agency launched an environmental study in October 2016 regarding the Pocahontas County facility and its telescope, with options ranging from continued investment to deconstruction and site restoration. The observatory was also separated from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in the same month.
Jenkins, who is a member of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, asked foundation director Dr. France Cordova about efforts to create partnerships.
“I have to say, I myself have been one of the prime movers in pushing us to look for collaboration and partners,” Cordova said.
Cordova said discussions are ongoing about possible relationships with the national security community
“Those have been very long and now sustained discourses with that community over their potential interests in that,” she said.
Jenkins said the facility has the potential to be utilized for various opportunities.
“What I think we are trying to do is obviously not only to continue to work with the relevance for fulfilling those core NSF missions and functions that you’ve outlined, your direction, but also with other federal entities and agencies and programs,” he said.
Cordova also spoke about the foundation’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which is $841 million less than its 2016 appropriations.