Letter to Dianne Feinstein, Chairman, and Lamar Alexander, Ranking Member, of the Senate Energy and Water Development Subcommittee - Funding Naval Reactors Training Program at Highest Possible Level for 2015
Letter
Dear Chairman Feinstein and Ranking Member Alexander,
As the House and Senate move toward conference on Fiscal Year 2015 Energy and Water Development Appropriations, I write to express strong support for Naval Reactors' conference request and ask your consideration for the highest funding level possible. In particular, I ask that you consider the House funding level of $1,215,342,000 while also honoring the Naval Reactors Operations and Infrastructure and Naval Reactors Development amounts of $408,480,000 and $425,600,000 respectively.
A funding level of $1,215,342,000 will ensure smooth Naval Reactors laboratory operations and will prevent crucial planed infrastructure sustainment work from being deferred. In addition, this funding level will ensure timely disposal of radioactive waste equipment and it will allow Naval Reactors to retain employees in these critical areas. The House funding level will keep planned decontamination and dismantlement (D&D) work in New York from being scaled back and will allow Naval Reactors to continue with planned capital investment projects. Naval Reactors will be able to continue research and development needed for the nation's nuclear powered fleet by keeping the extremely important OHIO-class Replacement and Land-based Prototype Refueling Overhaul on schedule, both of which play an integral role in the Navy's compliance with strategic deterrence requirements.
Over the past five years, Naval Reactors budgets have been reduced by more than $500M. The brunt of those reductions has been born by Naval Reactors base operations, the very activities and infrastructure that ensures the nuclear-powered fleet is operational and on-station when needed and that nuclear-qualified sailors are trained and certified to meet the rigors required of their responsibilities. I hope that this year, we are able to provide Naval Reactors with funding that equips them with the resources and manpower to manage the defense operations our nation depends on.
Thank you for your continued support of Naval Reactors. The work of Naval Reactors and its laboratories in New York are crucial facets of our nation's defenses.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator
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