    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [September 30, 1996]
    [Pages 1728-1729]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Energy and Water Development Appropriations
    Act, 1997
    September 30, 1996

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 3816, the ``Energy and Water
    Development Appropriations Act, 1997.''
        The Act provides $20 billion in discretionary budget authority for
    programs of the Department of Energy (DOE), portions of the Interior and
    Defense Departments, the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), and several
    smaller agencies.
        The Act provides $11.4 billion for atomic energy defense programs,
    $0.3 billion above my request. I am disappointed that the Congress has
    funded unrequested increases for nuclear weapons management and related
    programs, while curtailing investments in important civilian activities.
    Nevertheless, I am pleased that the Act will provide for a significantly
    enhanced Science-Based Stockpile Stewardship and Management program that
    will continue DOE's strong commitment to ensuring the safety and
    reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile. This Act will also enable
    the Defense Environmental Restoration and Waste Management program to
    aggressively address the environmental legacy of previous weapons
    activities.
        I am pleased that the Congress dropped a provision that would have
    made funding for the nuclear waste management program contingent upon
    congressional passage of a subsequent authorization bill. This language
    could have led to the immediate suspension of ongoing work at the Yucca
    Mountain site.
        I am also pleased that the Congress provided $45 million to the
    International Nuclear Safety program, which assists nations of the
    former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in improving the safety of
    Soviet-designed nuclear reactors.
        I am disappointed that the Act cuts $93 million from my request for
    solar and renewable energy research programs. Investments in the
    development of advanced renewable energy technologies, which have a
    large potential export market, will create new jobs and reduce
    pollution, thereby addressing climate change and protecting human health
    and the environment. I am also concerned by the cuts in funding for

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    DOE departmental administration and program direction in civilian
    research and defense programs that may jeopardize the Department's
    ability to perform its missions and maintain its financial management
    responsibilities.
        I am disappointed that the Act includes over $210 million in
    unrequested funds for Corps' construction, studies, and operation and
    maintenance programs. The Congress should have used these funds to
    restore reductions it made to other priority DOE and Corps programs,
    such as the Corps' wetlands regulatory program.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    September 30, 1996.

    Note: H.R. 3816, approved September 30, was assigned Public No. 104-206.
    This statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    October 1.