[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 53 (Thursday, May 2, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3880-S3881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. THURMOND (for himself and Mr. Allard):
  S. 2453. A bill to provide for the disposition of weapons-usable 
plutonium at the Savannah River Site South Carolina; to the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
that will provide for the disposition of weapons usable plutonium at 
the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. This bill will ensure the 
State of South Carolina will have an enforceable agreement on the 
construction and operation of a mixed-oxide, MOX, fuel fabrication 
facility at the Savannah River Site. The bill also provides for clear 
pathway to remove any weapons-usable plutonium from our State if the 
MOX facility is delayed or fails to operate as planned.
  The Plutonium Disposition program is an important element of our 
National Security. Under agreements made by the United States and the 
Russian Federation, each Nation agreed to dispose of designated amounts 
of weapons-grade plutonium. This agreement is a significant step toward 
safeguarding nuclear materials and preventing their diversion to rogue 
states. In addition, it has been widely acknowledged that Russian 
criminal

[[Page S3881]]

groups are attempting to steal weapons-usable plutonium from poorly 
secured sites for known terrorist organizations, and therefore most 
certainly this is a matter of extreme National Security.
  The MOX facility will be an important economic factor in my State. As 
a result of this bill, Department of Energy officials will also know 
that SRS, the largest industrial employer in my State, will be ready 
and eager to accept new missions and create jobs. Helping the Savannah 
River Site SRS, grow and remain the ``Crown Jewel'' among Department of 
Energy facilities has been one of my proudest achievements of public 
service as a Senator and Governor of my State. South Carolina and the 
Department of Energy have had an outstanding working relationship to 
bring jobs to SRS while helping to defend our National Security.
  I deeply regretted the recent dispute over the mixed oxide (MOX) fuel 
fabrication facility and the Federal lawsuit that was recently filed. I 
have called for reasoned and mature thinking to prevail in this matter. 
This legislation is intended to provide the assurances to both parties 
and restore the elements of trust and cooperation, while protecting the 
interests of the State and the health, safety and economy of its 
citizens. Interested parties must not fail to view this matter without 
taking all the factors into consideration. The health and security of 
South Carolinians must always be protected. current and future jobs in 
South Carolina must be protected. The National Security of the United 
States must be protected. The legislation I am introducing today will 
accomplish all of these objectives.
  This initiative is good government and I encourage its support by my 
colleagues. I yield the floor.

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