Steps taken in Congress to get funds for facilities at Pacific Northwest lab
Inside Energy
June 18, 2007
Two members of Washington state's congressional delegation took steps last week to ensure that the Homeland Security Department provides funds to help a replace physical sciences research building at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Republican Representative Doc Hastings, whose district includes the Energy Department lab, worked with leaders of the Homeland Security and Interior Appropriations subcommittees on language for a report accompanying the DHS appropriations bill (H.R. 2638) that directs the agency's Science and Technology directorate to "fully fund its total obligations as identified in the memorandum of understanding between DHS, DOE and the National Nuclear Security Administration."
The House debated the bill but had not voted on it as of press time Friday.
"The MOU calls for $25 million to be contributed by DHS to begin construction," Hastings said on the House floor Tuesday. "If funding is not included, the project will likely be delayed into future years, causing both DHS and DOE to lose important laboratory capabilities they need to keep our country safe."
Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Patty Murray added $15 million for the project to the Senate's version of the bill, which the Homeland Security Subcommittee approved Wednesday.
DHS in November signed the MOU with the DOE Office of Science and NNSA, a semi-autonomous agency at DOE. It specifies amounts each agency would contribute to the construction of the physical sciences facility. DHS had initially requested $25 million for the project, but the Office of Management and Budget nixed the plan.
According to the MOU, the Science Office would contribute $98.5 million and NNSA $70 million over the same period. So far, about $51.5 million has been spent on the project since it began in fiscal 2005. The building is expected to cost $224 million, with DHS contributing $56 million over five years.
The facility would replace several buildings the lab now occupies at the so-called "300 Area" at the Hanford Site.
While DHS' fiscal 2008 budget request did not include funding for the project, the DOE science office requested $35 million for it. The House Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill adds another $65 million to the request. The bill would also provide $38 million from NNSA, which also did not request funding for the project for fiscal 2008 because it contributed $25 million in prior years, more than the other two parties offered.
DHS has previously provided funding for the project. It allotted $2.2 million for conceptual design in previous years and $2 million in fiscal 2007 for continued designed and initial construction, Hastings said.
"This is wonderful news and fills in a blank that has existed since the DHS budget was released," said Mike Kluse, interim director at Pacific Northwest. "These funds will provide a necessary piece of the funding stream for the 300 Area replacement facilities, PNNL's top priority."
The physical sciences facility is one of three buildings the lab plans to construct as replacements for facilities at Hanford.
Two other facilities for biology and computer sciences will be built using third-party financing.
DOE and Battelle, which manages the lab, developed a third party financing package that the Office of Management and Budget would find acceptable (IE, 26 March, 14). The financing plan is still under review, said DOE spokeswoman Megan Barnett. However, a decision on the package could be made by August 1, a source familiar with the matter said.
— Angela Y. Hardin