Simpson steers $600 million to INL in DOE spending bill

Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson has secured nearly $600 million for cleanup and other activities at Idaho National Laboratory as part of a U.S. Department of Energy spending bill.

Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, said in a news release July 14 that the subcommittee had approved the money as part of the department’s 2011 fiscal year budget.

The legislation would provide the lab with $174 million for new buildings, renovation of existing facilities, new programs and operation of the Advanced Test Reactor. It also includes $422 million for the Idaho Cleanup Project.

The spending must still be approved by the full Appropriations Committee.

Last year, the lab received $173 million for infrastructure and $464 million for cleanup activities.