Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417 or Lorcan Connick (202) 224-5972

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) announced the Senate Appropriations Energy & Water bill contains over $400 million for the MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility at Savannah River Site. The legislation passed through subcommittee today and is expected to pass the full committee later this week.

Graham, who is a member of the Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee, has been a long-time supporter of the MOX program and worked to secure the funding. He noted several reasons the Senate legislation is notable:

• Additional MOX Funding: The Energy and Water subcommittee appropriates $400 million for the MOX program. The Senate funding is $204 million above President Obama's budget request;

• 'Cold-Standby' Option Dismissed: The subcommittee funding makes clear the money needs to be used for construction of the MOX facility and not place the facility in ‘cold standby.'

The legislation is expected to be considered by the full Senate later this year.

#######