Oak Ridge reservation to receive an additional $105 million

WASHINGTON—U. S. Senators Fred Thompson (R-TN) and Bill Frist (R-TN) applauded today’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the State of Tennessee, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have reached an agreement on an “Accelerated Cleanup” plan for the Oak Ridge Reservation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. “This agreement ensures that Oak Ridge’s most pressing cleanup needs will be met,” Senator Thompson said. “DOE’s new approach – addressing the highest priorities first while putting a plan in place to deal with other contaminated areas – makes good sense. Oak Ridge will get more money and better results from this deal.” “This additional funding is a major victory for the Oak Ridge community,” said Senator Frist. “Expediting environmental clean-up efforts around the Oak Ridge science facilities is a critical national priority. Today’s announcement by the Department of Energy demonstrates the president’s commitment to improved environmental management.” Under the Accelerated Cleanup agreement announced today, Oak Ridge will receive $105 million in additional cleanup funds in Fiscal Year (FY) 2003, above and beyond the $413 million previously requested for Oak Ridge in the President’s budget. The additional $105 million would come from the $800 million “Accelerated Cleanup” account proposed by the President. These additional funds would bring total cleanup funding for Oak Ridge in FY 2003 to $520 million, an increase of 8% over FY 2002 funding. Oak Ridge is the second DOE site, after the Hanford Reservation in Washington State, to sign an Accelerated Cleanup Letter of Intent with the Department of Energy and its regulators. The Oak Ridge agreement represents slightly more funding, on a percentage basis, than the Hanford agreement. Both funding agreements will now be considered by Congress as part of the FY 2003 appropriations process.