From the Aiken Standard this week: This article begins with a stark warning for fulfilling our international nonproliferation commitments, “If the MOX Project has its funding cut by 50 percent in the FY 14 budget, as many have said is likely to happen, this could put the entire project in danger.”
In the article, Kelly Trice, Shaw AREVA MOX Services president and COO, explains specifically what this could mean:
“A significant cut in funding or delay in the project, as it stands, would leave an 80-foot-tall, multibillion dollar building with 110 holes in it, at the mercy of the elements. Beyond this are significant amounts of equipment that need regular maintenance and 400 outstanding contracts, to contractors in 40 states, valued around $500 million to fabricate equipment, which would have to be paid off…However, Trice said he remains confident and believes that the administration supports the project and the funding would be made available. But that he had not seen the FY 14 Budget, due to be announced next week.”
We’ll provide more perspective as the FY 14 Budget surfaces, but be sure to be informed on the important issues, including what crucial security and economic benefits the MOX Project represents, and how budget cuts could endanger America honoring its international agreements.
