Rep. Newhouse Statement on Hanford Funding for Next Year

Statement

Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the full House Appropriations Committee passed its Fiscal Year 2016 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. The full House is expected to consider the bill on the floor as soon as next week. The bill includes $922,711,000 for the Richland Operations Office (not including safeguards and security) and $1.268 billion for the Office of River Protection:

"This bill reverses most of the Administration's proposed cut for the Richland Operations Office, putting cleanup work there on a much stronger path forward," said Rep. Newhouse. "Cleanup under the purview of the Richland Operations Office is not optional and cannot be dismissed. This marks a significant victory for the many critical RL projects including River Corridor, sludge, PFP and more. I'm also encouraged the bill funds work to continue Yucca Mountain -- a critical component of Hanford cleanup. This is only the start of a long appropriations process, and I've always expected that more work would be required. Of particular focus for me going forward will be ensuring that tank activities receive proper attention. I'm hopeful that the State of Washington and the Department of Energy will reach a workable agreement on a path forward for the Waste Treatment Plant before the end of this process and that additional details regarding cost and schedule will be provided."

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