Comment from Harold Evans

[200.202(e), 200.220] To Whom it May Concern: I am a professor in the field of experimental high energy physics. I am writing in my personal capacity to oppose the proposed revisions to sections 200.202(e) and 200.220 that would restrict international scientific collaboration and isolate American scientists. I have collaborated on international experiments at the CERN laboratory in Geneva for nearly 40 years. Besides producing ground-breaking fundamental science, CERN has developed a large number of practical products ranging from medical proton therapy to the world wide web. As part of my collaboration on experiments at CERN I have been involved in technologies, particularly in the area of high-speed/density electronics, that are of direct benefit to the US high-tech sector. Many of the young scientists and engineers I have overseen have gone on to productive careers at industry's cutting technological edge. I am currently involved in the upgrade of the ATLAS detector at CERN. Between them, the DOE and NSF have invested nearly $300M in these upgrades, with similar amounts invested in the CMS upgrade and contributions to the Large Hadron Collider accelerator. Cutting funding to these projects and to the research program that provides vital personnel to them, would cause this investment to be wasted. Even if funding is not ultimately cut, the uncertainty engendered by these proposed changes to the funding process has already caused significant harm to the upgrade projects as they move into production and integrate with elements produced by other countries. The large international collaborations at CERN are highly international, with critical contributions from around the world. Each component of an experiment depends on elements from many countries. Even though US "deliverables" are generally designed to be as self-contained as possible, they depend on the global high-tech supply chain to be as cost-effective for the American taxpayer as possible. Limitations on our ability to find the most cost-effective solutions to our hardware production needs increase costs and cause delays, but do not benefit US industry. International collaboration is already subject to stringent rules to prevent loss of US intellectual property. Adding uncertainty to our ability to collaborate based on changing administration priorities decreases the ability of US physicists to make an impact on the international stage.