[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CENTERS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY

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                         HON. MICHAEL D. CRAPO

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 1998

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for the 
establishment of International Centers for Environmental Safety (ICES). 
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the Russian Ministry 
of Atomic Energy are currently responsible for overseeing components of 
the world's largest stockpiles of nuclear weapons, materials, and 
infrastructures. It is within the responsibilities of these two 
agencies to address the environmental impacts of nuclear activities 
resulting from the cold war. It is my understanding that these two 
agencies have recognized their responsibilities and are discussing the 
formation of ICES to address these important areas of responsibility.
  The establishment of ICES enjoys strong support among DOE officials 
and representatives in the field. The primary mission of ICES would be 
to resolve environmental issues associated with the production and 
management of nuclear weapons materials, decontamination and 
decommissioning of nuclear facilities, and restoration of associated 
sites. ICES would be particularly helpful in assisting Russia 
decontaminate and decommission its obsolete nuclear submarine fleet, 
especially its spent nuclear fuel. The centers will draw upon the 
wealth of knowledge, expertise and technologies within the existing 
scientific infrastructures to accomplish these objectives.
  In March of 1998, Russian Minister Adamov proposed to former 
Secretary of Energy Pena that ICES be established in the United States 
and Russia. Minister Adamov proposed that these centers be modeled 
after the International Nuclear Safety Centers that were established 
under former Secretary O'Leary and former Minister Mikhailov in 
January, 1996. Minister Adamov suggested that the Idaho National 
Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) and the Russian 
Research and Development Institute of Power and Engineering serve as 
the host sites for the centers. Subsequent discussions have been held 
between Minister Adamov and Secretary Richardson. I agree that the 
INEEL is the optimal site for this new mission because of its 
facilities and technical expertise working with spent nuclear fuel and 
other radioactive materials.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Congress to support DOE's efforts to deal with 
the important environmental impacts associated with the cold war and to 
support the creation of ICES.

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