Simpson claims new budget will protect INL

Second District Congressman Mike Simpson says Idaho National Laboratory programs will be protected in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. The original budget proposed by the Trump administration would have made significant cuts to INL programs. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, Simpson had the lead role in deciding funding for all Department of Energy programs. The bill passed the full House Appropriations Committee Wednesday. “The FY18 Energy and Water bill provides comprehensive investment for the groundbreaking research and development conducted at the Idaho National Laboratory,” said Simpson. “Whether it be through its work in advanced reactor and fuel development, battery and bioenergy programs, or protecting the electric grid from cyber-attacks; the INL is enhancing our national security and increasing American competitiveness. I am pleased that this bill fulfills the needs of the lab to continue this critical work, and that it sends a strong message of support for its world-class workforce.” According to Simpson, the FY 2018 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill sets funding for the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy at $969 million. Nuclear energy research and development programs that receive funding within the overall $969 billion allocation include: — The Idaho Facilities Management account, which covers infrastructure maintenance and improvement at INL, is funded at $238 million – a $6.3 million increase over last year. — INL’s Safeguards and Security Program is funded at $133 million – an increase of $3.7 million over fiscal year 2017. — The Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies program is funded at $126.7 million – an increase of $11.6 million above fiscal year 2017. — The Light Water Reactor Sustainability program, which is managed by INL and promotes the continued safe operation of America’s existing nuclear reactors, is funded at $40 million, the same as last year. — The Reactor Concepts Research, Development, and Demonstration account is funded at $219.3 million – an increase of $87.3 million above last year. Within the overall $219 million level for this account, $30 million is allocated to fuel qualification for the High-Temperature Gas Reactor, and $60 million is for a solicitation to support technical, first-of-its-kind engineering and design and regulatory development of next-generation light water and non-light water reactor technologies, including small modular reactors. — Within the Fuel Cycle Research and Development program, the Advanced Fuels program is funded at $71 million; and Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition research and development is funded at $45 million. — Within the Office of Naval Reactors, the bill includes $82.5 million for the operation of the Advanced Test Reactor. — Within the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, the bill includes $9 million for the development of an Electric Grid Test Bed program to enhance existing full-scale electric grid testing capabilities like those at Idaho National Laboratory. The bill also provides $382 million for cleanup activities associated with the Idaho Cleanup Project and the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project co-located on the Idaho desert with INL. The funding level will allow the significant cleanup activities currently underway to continue. The bill also includes an additional $4 million for the National Spent Fuel Program, putting the unique expertise of INL to work in order to provide solutions for managing the Department of Energy’s inventories of spent nuclear fuel. Simpson said the bill also includes funding to support the continued adjudication of the Yucca Mountain license application. He said that would ensure the federal government will meet its commitments to Idaho and other states to dispose of used nuclear fuel. “This bill prioritizes fulfilling our national security needs and maintaining critical investments to advance our economy within tight budget caps,” said Simpson. “It strikes a responsible balance between the modernization and safety of our nuclear weapons, advancing our national infrastructure, and strategic investments in basic science and energy R&D.” The House Appropriations Committee also approved the FY 18 Agriculture Appropriations bill. That legislation includes language that blocks the President’s proposed closure of the U.S. Sheep Experimental Station in Dubois. “I am pleased that the House Appropriations Committee is sending a clear message that recognizes the station’s valuable work,” said Simpson. “While I was disappointed that USDA proposed to close the facility, this creates an important opportunity towards ensuring that stakeholders and ARS come together to work on a viable, long-term future for the sheep station.” The two bills are expected to go to the full House of Representatives for approval in the next few weeks.