The Nation : Senate Backs Funds for Super Collider

The Senate agreed to release the first federal construction funds for a $4.4-billion atom smasher, which Texans are counting on to bring jobs and revenues and which scientists hope will solve a few mysteries of the universe. The spending bill containing the funds provides $135 million to begin construction of the superconducting super collider in Waxahachie, Tex., and $90 million for research and development. The total was $25 million more than the House provided, and the two houses will have to reconcile the difference. The super collider would be the world’s largest particle accelerator, capable of hurling two proton beams at each other at nearly the speed of light. Scientists say their research could help them learn about nature’s most basic building blocks.