Bill would boost INL funding

U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson is looking to boost federal funding at the Idaho National Laboratory.

A new bill will increase the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy’s budget to $889 million dollars – $154 million more than President Obama’s requested funding.

According to a news release from Simpson’s office, the increased funding will go to help fund the INL’s nuclear research programs, ensure full funding for the lab’s security force and boost funding by more than $20 million for the ongoing nuclear cleanup activities in eastern Idaho.

“This bill not only stabilizes funding at INL after a couple of years of uncertainty — it sends a strong message that INL’s work as the DOE’s lead nuclear energy laboratory is critical to our nation’s energy security,” the Idaho Republican said.

The bill is expected to be considered on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday and in the Senate later this week.