In Appropriations Markup, Rep. Lee Successfully Blocks Funding for Yucca Mountain, Votes to Invest in Clean Energy, Western Water Infrastructure

Statement

Today, Rep. Susie Lee, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted to pass the fiscal year 2023 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies funding bill out of the full Appropriations Committee. As a member of the Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, Rep. Lee has fought tirelessly to ensure that no funding goes to Yucca Mountain and that the Department of Energy continues to pursue consent-based siting for nuclear waste.

"This funding bill will help create a safer and more sustainable Nevada," said Rep. Lee. "I am so proud to have once again blocked funding for Yucca Mountain. Sitting on the Energy and Water subcommittee has allowed me a seat at the table to ensure that not a dime goes to Yucca Mountain. That's exactly why I fought for this position, and I will continue to fight to keep our state from becoming the nation's dumping ground for nuclear waste. I'm also happy to announce that this bill directs the Department of Energy to continue to pursue consent-based siting solutions, a critical step to keep nuclear waste out of our state.

"This bill will also lower energy costs for Nevadans at a time when folks need it the most by bolstering funding for weatherization assistance programs, and funding for clean energy production," continued Rep. Lee. "And, as our state faces the worst drought in twelve centuries, it's crucial that we tackle the drought head-on, and that's just what this bill does."

The legislation also includes multiple provisions that Rep. Lee has pushed for, including funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program to help Nevadans weatherize their homes to cut down on energy usage and, in turn, energy costs, funding to accelerate domestic clean energy production, including solar panels and transformers, and more funding to tackle the drought crisis.

The Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee funding bill:

Includes zero funding for the proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, as well as critical report language secured by Rep. Lee that will direct the Department of Energy to continue to pursue a consent-based approach for nuclear waste storage.
Helps lower energy costs by strengthening America's energy independence and further investing in the Weatherization Assistance Program which helps cover costs for Nevadans to weatherize their homes. By weatherizing their homes, Nevadans use less energy and therefore have lower energy bills.
Funds that will help with drought mitigation, including:
$50 million requested by Rep. Lee for the Lower Colorado River Basin to conserve water that supplies Lake Mead.
Nearly $9 billion for the Army Corps for construction, operation, and maintenance of Army Corps water infrastructure projects.
Nearly $2 billion for Bureau of Reclamation, including $451 million in additional funding for water resource projects.
Nearly $200 million for WaterSmart programs. This program funds projects that increase water supply reliability and resilience in the face of climate change by improving water infrastructure or management.
Creates tens of thousands of good-paying jobs with a focus on deploying clean energy technologies and the green jobs of tomorrow in communities across the country.
Confronts the climate crisis with more than $16 billion of transformative investments in clean energy and science, which will help develop clean, affordable, and secure American energy.
Rebuilds our nation's water infrastructure, critical to protecting communities from more frequent and severe storms and addressing the worsening western drought.
Strengthens our national security by providing for a safe and secure nuclear deterrent and protects our environment by funding legacy nuclear cleanup work.

The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full Committee:

Rep. Marcy Kaptur -- The manager's amendment makes technical and noncontroversial changes to the report. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

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