[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 53 (Thursday, March 23, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              RECOGNIZING IDAHO NUCLEAR CLEANUP MILESTONE

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I congratulate the Idaho 
Environmental Coalition that currently manages cleanup operations at 
the Idaho National Laboratory, INL, Site and Department of Energy, DOE, 
Office of Nuclear Energy contractor Battelle Energy Alliance for 
completing the transfer of all spent nuclear fuel from wet to dry 
storage more than 9 months ahead of the 1995 Idaho Settlement Agreement 
milestone. This is the culmination of more than two decades of work by 
DOE and many partners and contractors. It further reinforces DOE's 
commitment to meeting its agreements with the State and following 
through on its promises to the citizens of Idaho.
  Importantly, the completion of the wet-to-dry project ahead of 
schedule means risks are reduced, security is improved, and the 
environment is better protected earlier, rather than later. Dry spent 
nuclear fuel storage is considered safer than wet storage, as it 
reduces proliferation concerns and potential risk to area natural 
resources. Dry storage of spent nuclear fuel also better prepares it 
for transport to long-term storage when a permanent repository becomes 
available.
  DOE has now met more than 90 percent of the Idaho Settlement 
Agreement milestones and more than 97 percent of all regulatory 
milestones with the State of Idaho. The completion of the wet-to-dry 
project frees up cleanup resources to further advance the next stages 
of the nuclear fuels mission. Thank you to all those involved in this 
momentous achievement, especially the exceptional and highly skilled 
employees involved in this project, for advancing and accelerating the 
cleanup at the INL and protecting Idaho's citizens.

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