Rep. Simpson secures critical INL funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KIFI) — The United States House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill Thursday. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted in favor of this legislation and secured critical funding for Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
“As a longtime member and former Chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, I am pleased to see crucial funding go towards the INL,” Rep. Simpson said. “From innovations in nuclear research and integrated energy systems to security solutions that protect our critical infrastructure, the INL makes significant contributions for our country. Supporting the INL is a priority of mine, and I am excited to see continued support for this Lab in Congress.”
Highlights of funding include:
- $333.02 million for the INL’s Facilities Operations and Maintenance (IFM) account
- Full funding for the Spent Fuel Handling Recapitalization Project at the Naval Reactors Facility on INL land.
- $478.205 million in defense environmental cleanup and $4.5M in non-defense environmental cleanup for the Idaho Cleanup Project.
- Funding for a variety of advanced reactor construction and demonstrations.
- Funding to facilitate a domestic supply chain of advanced TRISO and High-Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU)
INL employs more than 6,000 people at its facilities and was one of the state’s top employers in 2022. The INL generated over $120 million for Idaho’s state and local tax revenue last year alone. The total operational impacts of INL in 2022 amounted to $3.38 billion in output and $2.42 billion in gross state product.
The measure was approved with a vote of 210-199. This funding package will advance to the Senate for further consideration.
