Simpson applauds appropriations bill
The U.S. House headed home Thursday after sending the “Consolidated Appropriations Act” to the Senate for approval.
Idaho 2nd District Congressman Mike Simpson thinks the bill is good for Idaho. “This is a comprehensive and responsible package that contains so many important provisions for Idaho and Western States,” said Simpson. “It is the product of this past year’s worth of thoughtful deliberation and line-by-line analysis of every program in the federal budget.”
As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, Simpson had a key role in deciding funding for the Department of Energy and Department of Interior.
Simpson said the appropriations bill makes critical investments in advanced reactor and nuclear fuel research and development programs at the Idaho National Laboratory. It also makes significant investments in grid security programs.
The Office of Nuclear Energy was funded at $1.2 billion, an increase of $188 million above fiscal year 2017. The bill includes:
The Idaho Facilities Management account, which covers infrastructure maintenance and improvement at INL, is funded at $294 million – an increase of $56.3 million above fiscal year 2017 and $90 million above the budget request. 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 $159 million – an increase of $44 million above fiscal year 2017. The Reactor Concepts Research, Development, and Demonstration account is funded at $237 million – an increase of $105 million above last year. Within the overall $237 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. 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 $47 million – an increase of $7 million over last year. Within the Fuel Cycle Research and Development program, the Advanced Fuels program is funded at $125 million–a $57 million increase from fiscal year 2017; and Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition research and development is funded at $86.4 million.
The bill includes $85.5 million for the Advanced Test Reactor, $198 million for the spent fuel handling recapitalization project, $10 million to complete development of the electric grid test bed, $25 million for energy efficient mobility systems, $15 million for bio-energy and $9 million for integrated energy systems.
The measure also includes $434 million for the Idaho Cleanup Project and Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project. That is an increase of $52 million over fiscal year 2017.
“The Interior portion of the Omnibus contains provisions that are critical to Idaho,” said Simpson. “I am thrilled to see a fix to fire borrowing included. I have been working on this issue since 2013 and it is long past due that fires are treated like other natural disasters. I am also pleased to see vital funding for PILT and SRS which our rural counties need. Notably, this bill recognizes the late Governor Andrus by naming the White Clouds Wilderness after him. A well-deserved honor for a man who dedicate his life to public service.”
The bill also provides a $185 million increase for the National Park Service to help reduce the deferred maintenance backlog.
The bill continues language written by Simpson in last year’s appropriation bill blocking the President’s proposed closure of the U.S. Sheep Experimental Station in Dubois.
The measure includes $1.41 billion for impact aid, which supports education programs that benefit Idaho schools and counties.
You can find specific information on bills included in the overall legislation here.
Agriculture Appropriations Bill
Commerce/Justice/Science Appropriations Bill
Department of Defense Appropriations Bill
Energy and Water Appropriations Bill
Financial Services Appropriations Bill
Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
Interior/Environment Appropriations Bill
Labor/Health and Human Services/Education Appropriations Bill
Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill
State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill
Transportation/Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill
