PRESS RELEASE:
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Tom Reed announced his bill to authorize $75 million dollars a year for the West Valley Demonstration Project through 2026 to secure and remove nuclear waste from the site passed the Senate and is headed to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.
“For the first time in more than 35 years, our friends and neighbors will have the peace of mind that the West Valley Demonstration Project cleanup is a top priority and has long term funding authorization from Washington,” Tom said. “We are proud to be an unrelenting advocate for West Valley and care about ensuring fair funding for the complete and total cleanup of this nuclear site. We are excited about this bill’s success as we ensure the health and safety of our environment in Western New York for years to come.”
“I would like to thank Congressman Higgins, members of the Energy and Commerce Committee and my colleagues in the Senate for their support of this bill,” concluded Tom.
Tom’s bill to authorize West Valley funding passed the House in March.
"The Department of Energy (DOE) appreciates Congress's action to reauthorize, for the first time, the West Valley Demonstration Project in New York state.” Under Secretary of Energy for Science Paul Dabbar said. “DOE is proud of the cleanup success that has been accomplished at the West Valley site, including the demolition last year of the former Vitrification Facility, which represented the largest and most complex demolition of a radioactively contaminated facility at the site to date."
“This is certainly good news for the West Valley Demonstration Project,” Scott Anderson, CHBWV President and General Manager, said. “The authorization for funding at the $75 million level supports the capacity to continue making good progress at the site, eliminating potential environmental risks, and reducing West Valley’s footprint and lifecycle costs. Our employees remain committed in performing cleanup activities in a safe and compliant manner, while protecting themselves, the public and the environment.”
"The Town of Ashford is extremely grateful to Congressman Tom Reed for his efforts in getting this legislation introduced and passed," Town of Ashford Supervisor Elect John Pfeffer said. "With dedicated funding and an understanding of possible disposal pathways, DOE, New York State, and the Town of Ashford can now begin to better plan for the future of the West Valley Demonstration Project. Without Congressman Reed’s determination and problem-solving attitude, The Town of Ashford would continue to have to fight for funding on an annual basis."
Tom has worked with stakeholders, including the West Valley Citizen Task Force, to successfully achieve the goal of complete cleanup.
