Washington, D.C. – Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici today responded to the new Department of Energy nuclear security initiatives announced by DOE Secretary Spencer Abraham. Chairman Domenici’s statement: “Security of nuclear material should be a top priority, whether it is in this country or overseas. We should maintain strict controls domestically and do more to secure material against proliferation overseas. “I look forward to working with the Department to implement the Secretary’s plan to deploy improved cyber security and other state-of-the-art technology to protect our sensitive material. But I continue to have concerns that security costs are outpacing any growth in the DOE budget. I will work with Secretary Abraham to consolidate special nuclear material where it makes financial sense and will not undermine the program.” Domenici is also chairman of the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee that funds DOE and the national laboratories.