Key House committee approves full funding for Hanford

Press release from Rep. Doc Hastings July 15, 2003

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Doc Hastings announced today that the House Appropriations Committee has approved a spending bill for next year that provides full funding for nuclear waste cleanup at Hanford.

"Hanford will receive the full $2.11 billion needed to maintain cleanup progress for next year," Hastings said. "I am pleased the Committee funded the full amount that I requested so that cleanup continues to move forward safely and expeditiously."

Under the Committee passed bill, the Office of River Protection will receive $1.096 billion, which includes $690 million for the construction of the Waste Treatment Plant. The Richland Operations Office will receive $1.014 billion.

The bill contains an unprecedented level of funding for cleanup activities with $7.6 billion for the Department of Energy's Environmental Management program.

"The President's budget request for cleanup was the highest in history and put us in the best starting position ever," Hastings said. "This bill maintains the momentum for full funding and clearly shows the House's commitment to accelerated cleanup of our nation's nuclear waste sites."

As the founder and Chairman of the Nuclear Cleanup Caucus, Hastings authored a letter sent by the Caucus requesting full funding for the Environmental Management program nationwide. Hastings also spearheaded a letter signed by the entire Washington and Oregon congressional delegations asking the House Appropriations Committee to fully fund Hanford cleanup.

The House Appropriations Committee voted on Tuesday morning to approve the Fiscal Year 2004 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill early next week