A REQUEST FOR MORE FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO’S WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT. THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTS SENATORS TOM UDALL AND MARTIN HEINRICH SENT A LETTER TO A SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ASKING FOR ANOTHER 54-AND-A-HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITION TO THE ORIGINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL 2017. UDALL’S OFFICE SAYS THE AMOUNT REQUESTED IS DIRECTLY FROM THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT.
JUST UNDER 27-MILLION DOLLARS OF THE ADDITIONAL MONEY WOULD GO FOR SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS IMPOSED BY THE EPA FOR VIOLATIONS IMPOSED INSTEAD OF FINES. SEVERAL OF THE PROJECTS ARE PART OF A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT AND DOE.
