House committee advances spending bill that includes Yucca Mountain funding

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee recently advanced a fiscal 2018 spending bill for energy and water development and related agencies that includes funding for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository and nuclear energy research.

The bill totals $37.56 billion, which is $209 million below fiscal 2017 enacted level but $3.65 billion higher than president’s proposal.

It provides $90 million for the nuclear waste disposal program, $30 million for defense nuclear waste disposal and $30 million to resume the process for the Yucca Mountain license application.

“The bill sends a clear message that it is time to address the long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel and
finish the Yucca Mountain license application,” Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) said.

The bill also includes $969 million for nuclear energy research, development and demonstration activities, which is $47 million under the fiscal 2017 enacted level and $266 million more than the president’s budget request.

“The bill includes funding for research and development that ensures a safe, efficient and reliable nuclear fleet and lays the foundation for the next generation of nuclear reactors,” Simpson said.

Additionally, the bill directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to report on progress related to efficiency gains and estimated workload requirements. It also directs the NRC to create a plan for increasing the use of risk assessment tools across agency activities.