Proposed Budget Cut Could Delay Idaho Lab Facility Up to Two Years

摘要

The U.S. Energy Department (DoE) and a contractor at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) say building a major nuclear waste cleanup facility could be delayed if Congress adopts the fiscal 2009 budget cuts that President Bush calls for.rnIn his fiscal 2009 budget proposal for DoE, Bush requested $432 million for cleanup activities at the 890-square-mile area in southeastern Idaho, some $76 million less than the $508 million the project received this fiscal year.rnIf Congress abides by the president's budget request, the lower funding could lead the contractor to fire as many as 300 INL workers, forcing DoE to postpone final construction of the integrated waste treatment unit for a year or even two, department officials told House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus members recently.