Wilson Leads Letter on MOX to Energy Secretary Moniz
Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) released the following statement after sending a letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz requesting the Administration reconsider its position on MOX, the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility at the Savannah River Site. This one-of-a-kind project of national security importance helps the United States honor an international agreement with Russia by turning bombs into energy.
"Today, I along with a bipartisan group of Congressional Members reaffirmed our belief that the Administration must change their irresponsible position on the MOX facility at the Savannah River Site. This decision jeopardizes our national security, directly attempts to usurp Congress' power of the purse, and will cost American taxpayers millions of dollars without a return on investment. Inaction must not be an option and MOX should remain on course to completion," Congressman Wilson stated.
The text of the letter:
Dear Secretary Moniz,
President Obama's recent budget request substantially reduced funding for the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MOX) currently under construction at Savannah River Site (SRS). It also announced an intention to place the project into "cold-standby." We have serious concerns regarding the President's budget proposal decision on several grounds.
As you are aware, this facility was chosen by the Clinton Administration and authorized by Congress as our nation's means to dispose of excess weapons grade plutonium as we convert the material into commercial grade fuel. The disposal of this material is mandated by the US-Russia Plutonium Disposition Agreement. Placing this program into cold-standby will prevent the United States from honoring its part of the aforementioned agreement. At a time when The Administration is attempting to negotiate a nuclear nonproliferation agreement with Iran, defaulting on our own agreement sends a conflicting message to the international community. Additionally, halting progress on MOX will allow Russia to discontinue efforts towards disposing of their material. This could prove dangerous for our allies around the world and jeopardize our own national security as environmental cleanup of the plutonium at SRS would be stymied.
Another issue that concerns us with this decision is that funding appropriated in the FY2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act and authorized via the FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act explicitly provided for construction of MOX. The funds were not authorized or appropriated for cold-standby, and we request they be used only for construction as Congress intended. We are concerned that the intent of Congress is being ignored and as a result we may see a usurpation of Congress' power of the purse.
Finally, the cost of MOX has dominated recent headlines. We all agree that it is our responsibility as lawmakers to be the very best stewards of each and every taxpayer dollar and to work to contain the costs of projects and keep them on schedule. The Department has used a $30 billion lifecycle cost, yet we have never seen the Army Corps of Engineers report detailing how this number was reached. We request that report and its justifications to be released in its entirety. Moreover, we request a study to analyze the cost associated with placing MOX into cold-standby, which is estimated to be between $700 and $900 million.
The Department of Energy's only alternative we are aware of would require renegotiation with the Russians and an alteration of the Land Withdrawal Act. We have strong reservations as to whether either of those measures are realistic at the current time. As you know, if the material is not moved out of SRS by January 1, 2016, a one million dollar per day penalty—up to $100 million annually—would be instituted.
Thus, by simply doing nothing, or "studying other alternatives," American taxpayers will be left to pick up a $100 million penalty annually with no expiration date in sight. Material will never move out of SRS, and the U.S. will have a serious blow dealt to its international credibility on the nonproliferation front. It will leave material stranded and derail environmental cleanup missions in South Carolina for years to come. And lastly, walking away would cost the American taxpayers far more money with no return on their investment.
It is clear. We must finish the MOX project. We appreciate in advance your consideration of our concerns and we look forward to working with you ensure a path forward.
*In addition to Congressman Wilson, 20 other Members of Congress, including the entire South Carolina Congressional Delegation, signed the letter: Reps. Mick Mulvaney (SC-05), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Tom Rice (SC-07), Trey Gowdy (SC-04), Jim Clyburn (SC-06), Mark Sanford (SC-02), Phil Roe (TN-01), Paul Broun (GA-10), John Barrow (GA-12), Ted Yoho (FL-03), Robert Pittenger (NC-09), Doc Hastings (WA-04), Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02), Mark Meadows (NC-11), Jack Kingston (GA-01), Robert Hurt (VA-05), Bob Goodlatte (VA-06), Richard Hudson (NC-08), Phil Gingrey (GA-11), and Steve Scalise (LA-01).