(Washington, DC) – House Majority Whip and Sixth District Congressman James E. Clyburn today announced a new MOX fuel facility at the Savannah River Site has cleared its first hurdle to secure federal funding.  Today the Energy and Water Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee passed its FY ’08 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill and included $168 million for the facility that will turn weapons-grade plutonium into nuclear reactor fuel. 

“I am pleased to have worked closely with John Spratt to secure the funding to move this project forward,” Congressman Clyburn said.  “The MOX program at SRS was a priority of mine while serving on the Appropriations Committee, and I am pleased they responded to my insistence that the funding remain in this year’s appropriations bill.” 

The funding had been in jeopardy.  The two South Carolina Congressmen, who both carry significant clout in Congress, fought hard to keep funding for the MOX facility.  Congressman Clyburn received special permission to participate in a subcommittee hearing with Energy Secretary Bodman earlier this year so that he could seek a commitment from him on the MOX fuel project.

The bill must clear the full House Appropriations Committee before being considered by both the House and Senate. 

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