Take Notice -- Vote to Stop Neutron Source Construction Funding on Thursday

The full House Science Committee is scheduled to vote this Thursday (May 6) on H.R. 1655, which contains the following language:

“Construction of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). - None of the funds authorized by this Act may be used for the construction of the Project 99-E-334, the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.”

This prohibition would cover both FY 2000 and FY 2001.

H.R. 1655, the Department of Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1999, authorizes various DOE functions, including its physics programs. This 28-page bill sets out what DOE can and cannot do, and the ceiling on appropriations for various programs. It authorizes at least, and in most cases more, money for physics programs than the administration requested. The bill authorizes $18 million in FY 2000 and $13 million in FY 2001 for neutron source R&D. (The bill also contains spending prohibitions on DOE’s Scientific Simulation Initiative and ITER Engineering Design Activities.) H.R. 1655 was introduced yesterday by Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA), with the support of Science Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI).

Sensenbrenner has criticized SNS management. Following a March 5 visit to Oak Ridge, he issued a report stating that “project management is in turmoil.” One of the report’s findings was “No SNS FY 2000 Construction Funds Should be Appropriated.... While the Project is scientifically meritorious and R&D should be continued, it clearly needs more front-end preparation before it is ready to proceed to full construction”(see FYI #45.)

At Thursday’s mark up, the committee will start with the existing text of H.R. 1655, and then consider amendments to it. As it now stands, Energy and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Minority Member Jerry F. Costello (D-IL) will ask his colleagues to vote on an amendment which he is now drafting. The general thrust of the Costello amendment would be to permit construction providing DOE meets certain conditions.

It is not yet known what position Sensenbrenner will take on this amendment.

This mark up comes against a backdrop of recent activity by SNS supporters. On April 15, new SNS Project Director David Moncton gave Energy Secretary Bill Richardson a project assessment and management action plan. Richardson said, “I am pleased with Dr. Moncton’s commitment to complete the SNS as a world class research center, on time and within budget..... He has energized the project team and they have a well-thought out and realistic plan.” Moncton’s office will provide a fuller plan within six months or less. Also, on April 15, DOE issued the final Environmental Impact Statement on the SNS. A few days ago, Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) issued a statement on the SNS construction dispute, saying “This is plain and simple an 11th hour attempt to kill a worthwhile science project for reasons that just don’t bear up under close scrutiny.”

While Thursday’s vote is not the be-all-and-end-all, regardless of which way it goes, a Science Committee vote against SNS construction would be a blinking red light to representatives and senators. As is, the money that the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Committees are going to have will be severely constrained. They are looking for cuts. So even if H.R. 1655 never gets to the Senate or to the President, its approval by the Science Committee with the current language definitely sends a negative signal. Less than three weeks ago, Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM) told DOE officials that “it concerns me greatly that we’re in this position”on the neutron source management.

There are 45 members of the House Committee on Science. A simple majority of those voting this Thursday will determine if the color of the signal light for neutron source construction is red or green as it proceeds to the next intersection.

A complete roster of House Science Committee members can be viewed on its website at http://www.house.gov/science/welcome.htm

The telephone number for the U.S. House of Representatives is 202-225-3121 .

The House Science Committee vote on the Costello amendment to H.R. 1655 is scheduled for Thursday, May 6.