FY 2013 Request for National Nuclear Security Administration
“Keeping Americans safe by enhancing nuclear security through defense, nonproliferation and environmental cleanup” is the one of three priorities in the FY 2013 Department of Energy request sent to Congress on Monday. The department is requesting $27,155.1 million, an increase of 3.2 percent or $855.5 million for the new fiscal year. Of that, $11,535.9 million would be allocated to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
There are fifteen pages in “Budget Highlights ” submitted as part of DOE’s Congressional Budget Justification for Fiscal Year 2013 summarizing the FY 2013 request for NNSA. The introduction to this section (page 54) explains:
“The Weapons Activities request reflects an increase to meet the Administration’s commitments to the programs and capabilities required to maintain a safe, secure, and effective nuclear stockpile. Increases are requested for Directed Stockpile Work for the B61 LEP and W78 life extension study and Readiness in Technical Base and Facilities to ensure the infrastructure is in place to execute the program mission. The Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation request is driven by the imperative for U.S. leadership in nonproliferation initiatives both here and abroad. Emphasis continues to be on efforts to secure vulnerable nuclear materials around the world, and domestic construction on the MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility. The Naval Reactors request reflects continued support for execution of three major projects (i.e., OHIO Replacement, Land-based Prototype Refueling Overhaul, and Spent Fuel Handling Recapitalization) which are needed to deliver Navy-established mission requirements. For Office of the Administrator, the request supports the staffing and Federal support needed to meet requirements in the programs.
“The FY 2013 President’s Request for the NNSA is a funding increase over the FY 2012 enacted level, reflecting the importance of the Presidential priorities in meeting the objectives of the Nuclear Posture Review, cooperative global nuclear nonproliferation, modernization of the nuclear complex, and the reactor design and development activities for the Navy’s nuclear fleet. NNSA is a key player in the implementation of the President’s vision to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. national security strategy. NNSA will further this goal by maintaining a safe, secure and effective arsenal to deter any adversary as long as nuclear weapons exist.”
Weapons Activities: (page 55)
Total Weapons Activities program funding would increase 5.0 percent, or $363.2 million, from $7,214.1 million to $7,577.3 million.
- Directed Stockpile Work funding would increase 11.5 percent
- Science campaign funding would increase 5.1 percent
- Engineering Campaign funding would increase 5.6 percent
- Inertial Confinement Fusion and High Yield Campaign funding would decline 3.1 percent
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation: (page 61)
Total Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation program funding would increase 7.1 percent or $162.8 million from $2,295.9 million to $2,458.6 million.
- Nonproliferation and Verification R&D funding would increase 54.8 percent
- Nonproliferation and International Security funding would decline 2.3 percent
- International Nuclear Materials Protection and Cooperation funding would decline 45.4 percent
- Fissile Materials Disposition would increase 34.4 percent
- Global Threat Reduction Initiative would decline 6.4 percent
- Legacy Contractor Pensions would increase 11.1 percent
Naval Reactors: (page 66)
Total Naval Reactors program funding would increase 0.8 percent or $8.6 million from $1,080.0 million to 1,088.6 million.
Office of the Administrator: (page 68)
Total Office of the Administrator program funding would increase 0.3 percent or $1.3 million from $410.0 million to $411.3 million.
