News Release

WASHINGTON – The House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee today approved $168 million in new funding for the Department of Energy’s mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel program. The MOX program will fabricate weapons-grade plutonium into nuclear reactor fuel at facilities to be built at Savannah River Site in South Carolina. U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC), second-ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, led the effort to secure funding.

The MOX fuel program will process at least 34 metric tons of weapons-grade plutonium into commercial fuel in keeping with an agreement made in 2000 which commits Russia to do the same. The main object of the agreement with the Russians is to prevent the theft, seizure, or diversion of bomb-grade materials to terrorists or rogue countries.  The cost of the MOX fuel project, plus Russia’s reluctance to go along with the original agreement, have generated opposition in Congress, putting funds to go forward in doubt.

“The subcommittee appropriated $168 million for 2008, which is less than the Department of Energy requested,” said Spratt,” but $521 million is left over from prior-year appropriations, so $689 million will be available for MOX fuel in fiscal year 2008.

“While less than the budget request, this is better than being zeroed out,” said Spratt. “And that’s where the MOX project has teetered for the last few months.”  Spratt added that funding can be increased in the Senate, and the project goes to the Senate in far better bargaining posture than if funding had been wiped out.

MOX fuel is the preferred technology for eliminating excess weapons-grade plutonium, and last July, Department of Energy officials re-affirmed support for the technology in testimony before a House Armed Services Committee subcommittee. Spratt is a member of the subcommittee and questioned the Energy Department officials. The officials confirmed that MOX remains their first choice for disposition of excess weapons-grade plutonium at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina.  Though the acquisition cost is substantial, the life cycle cost is estimated to be less than plutonium immobilization as well as other options, including storage in place.

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