No Go for Plutonium-238 in DOE Appropriations Bill

Conferees on the Department of Energy’s appropriations bill (H.R. 3183) adopted the Senate position of zero funding for restarting production of plutonium-238 for NASA’s robotic space science missions, and House language regarding what is required to possibly obtain congressional approval next year. Conferees completed work on the bill today (Wednesday) and it may go to the House floor as early as tomorrow. The conference report is posted on the House Appropriations Committee’s website. On this matter, the conferees stated:

“Pu-238 Production Restart Project.-The conference agreement provides no funding for the Pu238 Restart Project. The conferees agree with language proposed by the House regarding a start-up plan which shall include the role and contribution of major users of Pu-238, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and shall be submitted with the fiscal year 2011 budget submission.”