Udall Advances Strong Investments in NM's National Labs & Water Infrastructure

Statement

U.S. Senator Tom Udall, senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the committee has advanced key legislation to provide strong funding for New Mexico's national labs, cleanup projects and technology transfer efforts, the Waste Isolation Pilot Program (WIPP), and water infrastructure projects throughout the state. The overall bill also provided strong increases for basic science and clean energy development funding.

Udall, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, helped secure a funding increase for the National Nuclear Security Administration, which funds both Sandia and Los Alamos National Labs. Udall also secured a funding increase for cleanup at Los Alamos, as well as strong funding for advanced biofuels and technology transfer to encourage job growth and innovation.

"New Mexico's national labs and Department of Energy installations are essential engines for our economy and deeply important to our national security," Udall said. "As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I'm proud to have secured these strong funding levels for our national labs and for the innovative technology transfer activities that help diversify, expand and modernize New Mexico's economy."

Udall also worked to include the highest levels of funding ever for the Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers, which support water projects throughout the state.

"In New Mexico, we know that water is life -- and we know that we don't have water to waste," Udall continued. "I'm working hard in the Senate to advance critical federal investments to improve and innovate our water infrastructure, to encourage efficiency and conservation, and to ensure that New Mexico communities have access to key federal programs to help effectively manage this vital natural resource."

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich welcomed committee passage of the legislation: "This critical funding will ensure that our national labs and WIPP continue to play a vital role in addressing the nation's most pressing issues. The people of New Mexico make tremendous contributions to our national security and work at the forefront of cutting-edge research and development that grow our state's economy. I'm also pleased this legislation includes funding for important water infrastructure and management projects across the state, including our tribal communities. Access to clean drinking water is essential to public health and helps boost economic development. I commend Senator Udall for his leadership on crafting this important legislation that will undoubtedly benefit New Mexico in so many ways."

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