Washington, D.C. – Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici today commended President Bush for launching a comprehensive global nuclear strategy that promotes nuclear nonproliferation goals while helping to resolve nuclear waste issues.

He also applauded two new programs created by the Administration: the American Competitiveness Initiative and the Advanced Energy Initiative. Through these programs, the Administration expanded funding for leading-edge research critical to America’s economy and energy future. The goals of the programs reflect Domenici’s own priorities.

GLOBAL NUCLEAR ENERGY PROGRAM:

“In the 1970s, the United States decided to abandon its leadership on nuclear recycling and let the rest of the world pass us by. With the creation of the Global Nuclear Energy Program, we’re getting back in the game. This program is the next step in the global nuclear renaissance,” Domenici said.

“With the energy bill, we created a new future for advanced nuclear power in this country and now 19 new reactors are under discussion. With GNEP, we begin to close the cycle on nuclear waste in ways that prevent proliferation and reduce both the volume and toxicity of waste. We are setting the stage for spent nuclear fuel recycling.

“I’m particularly pleased that GNEP will be the hallmark feature of the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative. I created the AFCI program in 2002 at the Los Alamos National Laboratories to expand their existing programs on the transmutation of nuclear waste. GNEP provides reliable access to nuclear fuel for developing countries in exchange for their commitment to forgo developing enrichment and recycling technologies.  This program allow the United States to be a leader in taking the nuclear renaissance throughout the world.”

AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS INITIATIVE:

The American Competitiveness Initiative announced in the President’s State of the Union,  commits $5.9 billion in FY2007, and more than $137 billion over 10 years to programs that help America retain its leading edge in science, math and technology. The ACI will increase investments in research and development, education, and tax incentives to encourage innovation.

“I am particularly impressed that, after years of flat funding, the Administration proposes to double funding over the next decade for DOE’s Office of Science,” Domenici said. “I am pleased the Administration is also increasing funding for the National Science Foundation and the National Institute for Standards and Technology. These three agencies must thrive if we are to remain global leaders in technology and innovation.”

ADVANCED ENERGY INITIATIVE:

The Advanced Energy Initiative, also announced in the President’s State of the Union, aims to reduce America’s dependence on imported energy sources and commits $2.1 billion to meet that goal, an increase of $381 million over FY 2006.

“The President recognizes that research and innovation are America’s best answer to the voracious global appetite for carbon fuels. Our economy in the coming years will reap the harvest President Bush is sowing today with this push to develop more energy from nuclear power, wind, the sun and our own field crops,” Domenici said.

CLEAN COAL POWER INITIATIVE:

However, Domenici expressed disappointment over the Administration’s move to cut the Clean Coal Power Initiative from $49.5 million this year to a mere $5 million next year. “We’re going to take a second look at that cut come appropriations time,” he said. “The United States has a 250-year supply of coal. Refining the technology to burn coal without hurting the environment is critical to our economy and our global competitiveness. I’m not going to short-change that program at this critical juncture.”

ANWR:

Domenici also noted that OMB had reassessed anticipated receipts from oil development in the Arctic to reflect recent oil prices. The new score of $8 billion in total receipts, with $4 billion for federal coffers, is a 60 percent increase over last year’s total of $5 billion, with $2.5 billion for the federal government. The sum comes from the two anticipated lease sales in 2008 and 2010. OMB expects $7 billion in 2008 and $1 billion 2010.

Domenici plans to work with Senate leadership to include ANWR receipts in the ‘07 Budget Resolution, as he did last year.

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