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Bill funds INL cleanup
POCATELLO — A U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee has approved a record amount of funding for cleanup efforts at the Idaho National Laboratory.
The Fiscal Year 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, passed Wednesday by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, includes more than $600 million for the cleanup, a funding increase of about $96.8 million. The legislation provides funds for ongoing remediation of facilities and land as part of the Idaho Cleanup Project. Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson, a member of the committee, noted the bill also includes increases in funding for INL’s research efforts. It includes $70 million for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant, a facility in the planning stages that would utilize new nuclear technology with less waste, and $20 million for upgrades to the Advanced Test Reactor and the construction of new buildings.
“First and foremost, this legislation boosts cleanup funding in our state to record levels,” Simpson said, according to a press release. “I have repeatedly said that in order to be successful with the long-term future missions of the INL we have to be successful in cleanup up the Cold War legacy of the site. This bill will accelerate our ability to remediate that legacy and protect the Snake River Plain Aquifer.” According to Simpson’s office, the appropriations bill provides about $30 billion in funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy and several independent agencies. The bill will now be considered by the full Appropriations Committee.
Simpson’s office anticipates it could be approved within two weeks. Article RatingReader CommentsSubmit a CommentCommenting RulesWe encourage your feedback and dialog. All comments are subject to deletion by our Web staff.
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