Volume 169, No. 53 covering the 1st Session of the 118th Congress (2023 - 2024) was published by the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

“ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the in the Senate section section on page S930 on March 23.

The Department oversees energy policies and is involved in how the US handles nuclear programs. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department's misguided energy regulations have caused large losses to consumers for decades.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

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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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 53