Wilson, Barrett, Norwood United Behind MOX

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Emily Lawrimore
202-225-2452 (W)
202-468-3258 (C)

May 24, 2006

Wilson, Barrett, Norwood United Behind MOX

Voting Against Bill to Eliminate MOX Program at SRS

Members of the South Carolina and Georgia delegations stand united against efforts to eliminate the Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel Fabrication Program in H.R. 5427, the Energy and Water Appropriations Act of FY 2007. Representatives Joe Wilson (SC-02), Gresham Barrett (S-03) and Charlie Norwood (GA-09) will express their strong support for the MOX program by voting against this legislation.

“Six years ago, the federal government assured the state of South Carolina that it would not become a final resting place for America’s nuclear waste. By eliminating the funding for a MOX facility at SRS, the House Appropriations Committee has disregarded our important nonproliferation agreement and failed to provide a meaningful alternative for the excess plutonium currently sitting in our state,” said Wilson. “While I support the bulk of the energy appropriations bill, I cannot vote for legislation which will terminate the MOX program. I strongly believe that the MOX program is the most viable way to dispose of our nation’s excess plutonium, and I will continue to work with Senators Graham and DeMint to ensure this funding is restored during conference.”

“I strongly disagree with Chairman Hobson’s position on this issue, and I will not support any legislation that effectively turns South Carolina into a dumping ground,” said Barrett. “The MOX program is vital to our national security and it is the most efficient and cost effective way to process this plutonium. The elimination of such an important program is wrong not only for South Carolina, but for the nation and the world. I am, however, still hopeful that with the help of our Senators the MOX program will ultimately receive funding, and construction will move forward this fall as planned.”

“Continuation of the MOX program is an absolute keystone in our nation’s energy policy for the 21st Century,” says Norwood, “and this bill cannot be supported without it. In a time when our country is desperate for energy sources, this bill proposes sticking a vital energy resource into the ground. We spent billions producing plutonium and instead of using it as an asset this bill immobilizes it. While we may not have the votes to stop the overall bill in the House, our votes can serve well to help Senators Chambliss and Isakson restore these funds in the Senate version of the bill, and help us win the final MOX fight in conference.”

In 2000, the U.S. and Russia each agreed to dispose of 34 metric tons each of surplus, weapons-grade plutonium by turning it into MOX fuel for use in existing commercial nuclear reactors. While there have been delays due to liability issues between the two countries, the House recently voted in a bipartisan manner to allow the U.S. MOX program to move forward regardless of the pace of the Russian MOX program. Administration officials close to the program believe moving forward in a unilateral fashion is the best solution, and with adequate funding, they believe MOX will become a reality.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Barrett, Wilson and Norwood are confident their Senators will fight to restore funding to the MOX program as the bill continues through the process.

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