Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, today announced the inclusion of substantial increases in funding for the Idaho National Laboratory and the Idaho Cleanup Project as part of legislation funding the Department of Energy in Fiscal Year 2009. Simpson also announced the inclusion of $4 million in funding for INL as part of the Fiscal Year 2009 Department of Homeland Security funding legislation. 

“The funding increases in this bill represent a complete endorsement by Congress of the significant contributions INL’s workforce and leadership are making to our energy and national security,” said Simpson. “In concert with the Lab’s leadership and workforce, I have been pushing and pushing for years to improve the facilities at INL and see some new buildings rising in town and on the desert. I am now more hopeful than ever that significant infrastructure improvements will soon be a reality.”

"I want to thank Congressman Mike Simpson, the other members of the House Appropriations Committee and their staff for this vote of confidence in the direction of the INL and some of its major programs.  The budget increases for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant and the INL infrastructure account will help the INL play a leadership role in our nation's energy future,” said Admiral John Grossenbacher, INL’s Laboratory Director.

Among its many provisions, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill includes:

· A $46 million increase for Idaho National Laboratory facilities over the President’s request. Total Idaho Facilities Management funding is targeted at $150 million. The additional funding is available for a variety of uses including new buildings, renovation of existing buildings, and equipment purchases, and the Advanced Test Reactor’s operation as a National Scientific User Facility.

· A $130 million increase for the Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems program bringing total funding to $200 million. $196 million of this funding is targeted to the Next Generation Nuclear Plant which will be built at INL.

· $10 million for upgrades to the Advanced Test Reactor.

· A $40 million increase over the President’s request for cleanup activities at INL bringing total cleanup funding to $472,124,000.00.

· $1 million for equipment purchases at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies at INL.

· $1.25 million for the City of Boise’s expansion of its geothermal system to Boise State University

· $1 million for Medical Isotope Production using accelerators at Idaho State University.

Simpson also announced $4 million in funding for INL’s Power and Cyber Systems Protection Program as part of a separate Department of Homeland Security funding bill.

“This bill provides a substantial boost to the Next Generation Nuclear Plant and the development of advanced gas reactor technology,” said Simpson. “It also places a significant investment in upgrades to extend the life of the Advanced Test Reactor. Nuclear energy research and development at INL are well served in this bill.”

The Energy and Water Appropriations bill provides approximately $31 billion in funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy, and several independent agencies.

“Chairman Visclosky and my colleagues on the Committee are demonstrating a genuine support for the future of the INL’s research mission in this bill and making a firm commitment to ongoing cleanup activities,” said Simpson. “I’m grateful for the time they have spent learning about INL and the important work done in eastern Idaho.”

The Energy and Water Appropriations bill now heads to consideration by the full Appropriations Committee where approval is expected next week.