Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) is looking to obtain a small boost in cleanup funding in the House version of the FY 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. Hastings has put forth an amendment that would increase authorized defense environmental cleanup funding in the bill by $20 million. The increase would be offset by an equal cut in authorized funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Inertial confinement fusion ignition and high-yield campaign. Hastings’ amendment is one of a number set to be considered today by the House Rules Committee as it develops a rule to guide debate on the defense policy bill on the House floor.
As it currently stands, the House defense authorization bill would authorize a total funding level of of $4.870 billion (not counting any proposed uranium enrichment D&D fund contribution), largely matching DOE’s FY 2015 budget request. On a site-by-site basis, the bill would authorize funding levels matching DOE’s request. However, the bill would also authorize approximately $19 million in technology development funds for DOE’s Office of Environmental Management, up $6 million from the Department’ request.
