Planned budget cuts to the federal Office of Science could devastate Brookhaven National Laboratory, according to Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) and Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko, who called on Congress to restore funding at a news conference Monday.

The Upton lab faces the potential layoff of 950 employees, Bishop said, and closure of two of its research centerpieces - its Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and National Synchrotron Light Source.

The budget cut could result from the spending plan passed by the House of Representatives last week, Bishop said, adding that the plan now goes before the Senate. The plan cuts the Office of Science's $5.1 billion budget by 20 percent, he said.

"The impact it would have on the ability to perform cutting-edge work would be devastating" and would "short-circuit Suffolk County's high-tech future," Bishop said.

A spokesman for Brookhaven National Laboratory said the possible cuts are estimations that assume a $1.1-billion cut to the Office of Science would be distributed equally among the 10 national labs operated by the office. Actual cuts to the labs have not been determined.

BNL representatives did not attend Monday's event. Lab spokesman Peter Genzer declined to comment on the event.

Top administrators at the federal Department of Energy, which includes the Office of Science, understand the need "to make tough choices to bring down the deficit and get the country back on a sustainable path," said Tiffany M. Edwards, a spokeswoman.

She added, "But to win the future, we cannot make cuts that undermine our ability to create jobs, drive innovation and compete in a global economy."

Lesko said downsizing at Brookhaven National Lab would have "devastating" residual effects on Suffolk County's economy, which relies on the lab as a high-tech hub. The lab is critical for the "long-term economic health of this region," he said.

Mike Lubell, director of public affairs with the American Physical Society, agreed, adding that the national labs are necessary to "keep America competitive" in retaining private research and development facilities.

"Other nations have similar facilities," he said.

The event was held at an American Physical Society building across the street from BNL in Upton. American Physical Society officials and representatives for state Sen. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) and county Legis. Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches) also attended.

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