Obama Administration threatens veto on nuclear funding bill
A $35.4 billion energy and water spending bill approved earlier this month by the United States House of Representatives would give $936 million to nuclear energy programs in fiscal year 2016 -- which begins on Oct. 1.
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Entrance tunnel at Yucca Mountain. Credit: Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
The nuclear portion of the bill would provide $175 million for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to continue Yucca Mountain licensing, among other things. The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) said they are happy with the decision.
"A comprehensive program to effectively manage used nuclear fuel must include completion of licensing activities for the Yucca Mountain repository," NEI Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs Alex Flint said in a statement. "The appropriation for that project is most welcome."
The bill, HR 2028, also said that none of the funds may be spent on "actions that irrevocably remove the possibility that Yucca Mountain may be a repository option in the future."
A spokesperson for NEI told FierceEnergy that the bill would allow the licensing process to proceed, and "that's very important so we can actually find out whether the proposed Yucca Mountain facility can be licensed by the NRC. We believe it can and should be."
Additionally, the bill would impose stricter discipline to the NRC -- requiring them to return to commission-driven rulemaking development instead of delegating decisions to staff, which, according to NEI, would "provide greater discipline, transparency, and accountability."
The bill passed the House 240-177, but President Obama said he would veto the bill if it reaches his desk without changes.
"The bill drastically underfunds critical investments that develop American energy sources to build a clean and secure energy future; develop and commercialize the emerging technologies that create high-quality jobs and enhance the Nation's economic competitiveness; and improve resilience against current and ongoing climate impacts that threaten our economy, public health, and natural resources," the administration said in a statement, adding that it would also harm efforts to implement President Obama's nuclear strategy and efforts to protect clean water.
The president's statement also said the funding for the Yucca Mountain project is a "rejection of the practical solutions proposed in the President's nuclear waste strategy."
HR 2028, was introduced by Sen. Mike Simpson, whose state of Idaho is home to the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
In a statement, Sen. Simpson said, "I am pleased to report that the Energy and Water bill rejects cuts proposed by the Obama Administration to nuclear energy programs and increases funding for many of the vital research efforts at INL. The funding increases we have been able to secure will build on our previous work, and continue to make a real impact accelerating nuclear innovation programs and addressing much needed infrastructure enhancements at INL. These investments will make sure nuclear energy remains an important component of our nation's energy mix."
The bill will be sent to the Senate next where they will decide on possible changes.
For more:
- read the
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- view this
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