The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) said yesterday the House of Representatives is preparing a vote on a bill that would provide $936 million for the Energy Department’s nuclear programs.
The fiscal 2016 budget for nuclear-related activities, which was approved by the House Appropriations Committee last week, rejects a duplicative decommissioning tax on ratepayers, lowers the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s budget to better reflect the agency’s workload, and provides funds to continue licensing work on the Yucca Mountain used-fuel repository.
The $936 million for nuclear programs is part of a $35 billion energy and water spending bill. If the bill is enacted, the nuclear portion would increase by $23 million, or 2.5 percent, over the fiscal 2015 enacted level and $28.5 million, or 3.1 percent, from President Barack Obama’s administration’s request for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.
“It is gratifying to see strong support for nuclear energy remaining a vital component of a diversified electricity portfolio that will strengthen our energy security,” NEI Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs Alex Flint said.
