House passes bill approving funding for DOE nuclear program

Washington (Platts)--25May2006

The House passed an energy and water funding bill in a 404-20 vote yesterday
that left intact the Appropriations Committee recommendations on funding for
DOE's nuclear energy programs in fiscal 2007.

House members rejected a floor amendment by Democratic Representative Edward
Markey of Massachusetts that would have cut another $40 million from the DOE
Global Nuclear Energy Partnership program in FY-07, which begins October 1.
GNEP will receive $120 million, $130 million below the budget request, under
the bill.

Also rejected was an amendment by Representative Shelley Berkley of Nevada
that would have barred DOE from maintaining its website aimed at educating
children about the nuclear power industry and about the DOE repository project
at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Berkley, a Democrat, asserted in her floor remarks
that the cartoon character "Yucca Mountain Johnny" that is a central figure on
the website misleads children into thinking the repository project and nuclear
waste are safe.

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development is
expected to consider its version of the House bill in June, according to a
Senate staffer.

For similar news, take a trial to Platts Nucleonics Week at
http://nucweek.platts.com.


 

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