WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, issued the following statement today following U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz’s decision to continue funding the mixed oxide fuel (MOX) facility at the Savannah River Site.

She said: 

“I received a call from Secretary Moniz last night and am encouraged by his decision to continue construction on the MOX facility at Savannah River through the end of September. 

“This project sustains thousands of jobs across the country and remains the only way to safely dispose of our weapons grade plutonium stockpile. It is not only critical to our economy, but also to our national security. 

“We have a great deal of work ahead of us to ensure the project remains fully funded in FY2015 and beyond, and I look forward to working closely with senators in both parties to achieve this.” 

Sen. Landrieu has led the Congressional effort to continue construction at the facility with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). On March 6, she co-authored a letter to the Secretary calling on the Department to fully-fund the project.