Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, today praised his Subcommittee’s passage of the fiscal year 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations bill which included substantial funding for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the Office of Nuclear Energy. Specifically, the legislation provides $96.8 million in increased funding for ongoing remediation of facilities and land as part of the Idaho Cleanup Project. Total cleanup funding for FY2008 is slated to be over $600 million, which is a record funding level for Idaho.
 
“First and foremost, this legislation boosts cleanup funding in our state to record levels,” said Simpson. “I have repeatedly said that in order to be successful with the long-term future missions of the INL we have to be successful in cleaning up the cold war legacy of the Site. This bill will accelerate our ability to remediate that legacy and protect the Snake River Plain Aquifer.”
 
The Idaho National Laboratory’s research efforts receive substantial increases as well, including $70 million for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) and $20 million for upgrades to the Advanced Test Reactor and the construction of new buildings. The NGNP is an advanced high-temperature gas reactor to be built in Idaho and designed to produce both electricity and hydrogen. Idaho Senator Larry Craig authorized its development as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
 
“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 the aging infrastructure of the Site and funds ongoing efforts to extend the life of the Advanced Test Reactor. All-in-all, Idaho and its laboratory are among the biggest winners in this important piece of legislation.”
 
The Energy and Water Appropriations bill provides approximately $30 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 the 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 in two weeks.