Reprogramming Should Happen - What's Next?
 Reprogramming is a change in the allocation of resources in a budget. Resources are programmed with the budget, and a change is another programming, or a reprogramming. In practice, a change is called a reprogramming if it exceeds certain thresholds. Reprogramming is the use of "funds in an appropriations account for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of appropriation." Specifically, when an agency reprograms funds, it is moving funds within an appropriation (i.e. from one "budget activity" to another "budget activity").
This process begins with the Department of Energy (DOE) making the proposed changes. Those changes are then sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). After OMB allows the reprogramming, the request has to go before Congress for approval. After Congressional approval is received, the reprogramming request goes back to OMB for final approval and then to DOE which then transmits the funds to SRS.
As of this publication date, SRS Reprogramming has been approved by all four committees in Congress. The $79 million reprogrammed money can be used to restore work hours at the Savannah River Site and put an end to furloughs once it is out of OMB and DOE which is expected soon.
What's next: while we may celebrate the end of the furloughs, the next budget crisis is looming. Legacy liquid waste stabilization and disposition, or the emptying of the liquid waste tanks, has been cut by $101 million, or 15.5 percent. At this lower funding level, activities to place liquid wastes into a safer vitrified form are reduced by over 60%, near-term removal of wastes from the most vulnerable tanks is delayed and the removal of all waste from underground HLW tanks is delayed by four years or more. An even bigger hit is being taken by the Salt Waste Processing Facility, which is funded at $78 million, or 45.9 percent, less in fiscal year 2014.
 The President's new budget calls for construction to slow down at the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication (MOX) Facility [By the numbers: FY2012: $435 million; FY2013 (CR): $438 million; FY2014 Request: $320 million - a 27 percent decrease from FY 2013]. While the Administration says it will assess the feasibility of alternative plutonium disposition strategies, resulting in a slowdown of MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility construction in 2014, it also says it is nonetheless committed to the overarching goals of the plutonium disposition program to: 1) dispose of excess U.S. plutonium; and 2) achieve Russian disposition of equal quantities of plutonium but no specifics are identified.
These potential cuts do not begin to take into account the potential for additional staff reductions in FY2014 and discussions with DOE seem to indicate that we can expect struggles with future year budgets. We need to stay vigilant and look to Congressional leadership to ensure SRS risk reduction is accomplished. |
Government Spending & SRS
 SRS sequestration (May 12, 2013 - Aiken Standard - Talk Back) "For years our elected officials, and the people who vote for them, have insisted that government spending be reduced. Now that the sequester cuts have taken effect, those same people are the first to whine and complain. Be careful what you wish for, folks. SRS is funded with federal tax dollars."
Yes, SRS is funded with federal tax dollars but before discussing that fact, regardless of what you read in the paper or see on the internet, the main reason for the furloughs and reduced work hours was not directly related to sequestration. The real reason was the need to reprogram $75-100 million to help cover some funding short falls that were not included in the FY 13 SRS Continuing Resolution (CR) budget (see Reprogramming Story). These funds were part of the Recovery Act and therefore did not get counted in the CR. SRS did receive sequestration cuts but the site was able to handle this funding reduction with minimum interruptions. Now to the federal tax dollar issue, in fiscal year 2014, the federal government will spend around $3.8 trillion. These trillions of dollars make up a considerable chunk - around 22 percent - of the US economy, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). That means that federal government spending makes up a sizable share of all money spent in the United States each year. The U.S. Treasury divides all spending into three groups: mandatory spending and discretionary spending and interest on debt. Interest on debt, which is much smaller than the other two categories, is the interest the government pays on its accumulated debt, minus interest income received by the government for assets it owns. Discretionary spending refers to the portion of the budget which goes through the annual appropriations (or more recently the Continuing Resolution) process each year. In other words, Congress directly sets the level of spending on programs which are discretionary. Congress can choose to increase or decrease spending on any of those programs in a given year. This is the pot of taxpayer money that drives the SRS budget. Mandatory spending makes up around two-thirds of the total federal budget. The largest mandatory program is Social Security, which comprises more than a third of mandatory spending and around 22 percent of the total federal budget. Mandatory spending is largely made up of earned-benefit or entitlement programs, and the spending for those programs is determined by eligibility rules rather than the appropriations process. Congress therefore cannot decide each year to increase or decrease the budget for mandatory spending. Instead, it can review the eligibility rules and may change them in order to exclude or include more people. The federal government has estimated that about $7 billion annually is needed to continue cleanup at a level that meets regulatory standards and agreements. Historically, the nationwide program has received less than that - about $6 billion to $6.5 billion a year - and in the past few years spending has dropped below $6 billion. That amount may sound impressive, but it costs DOE $3 billion annually just to maintain environmental cleanup sites in a safe and operable state. 
Without having SRS funding at adequate levels the following have the potential to occur: - Every important risk reduction milestone is delayed
- Removal of High Level Wastes from underground tanks is delayed
- All commitments for removal of wastes from South Carolina are delayed
- Most programs of national importance will experience delays
Again, be careful what you wish for. |
Navigating Nuclear
 Augusta Technical College is this month's spotlight in the continuing series about regional education and training programs developed as part of the Advancing Nuclear Skills Regionally (ANSR) grant. The programs receive funding from the Department of Energy ANSR grant to the SRSCRO that assists five area colleges in developing the future nuclear workforce.
More than 900 people have learned about nuclear careers and training programs in the first 18 months of the Comprehensive Advisement Program for Nuclear Programs at Augusta Technical College. Melissa Foster serves as the program advisor and works with students and local guidance counselors to help navigate nuclear career paths available locally. Nuclear industry training and career opportunities can be confusing to potential students, and this program helps students make choices that best suit their goals. Strong program recruitment and retention for Augusta Tech's Nuclear Engineering Technology program provides a clear indication that the comprehensive advisement plan is truly serving to advance nuclear skills regionally. Melissa also produces The Neutron, a newsletter dedicated to all things nuclear at Augusta Technical College.
A new Chemical Technology (CHT) associate degree program is also under development at Augusta Technical College through the ANSR grant. Already, laboratory equipment is being installed in a modern laboratory designed to instruct students in chemical processes related to nuclear technology. The laboratory and program development is taking place with advisement from nuclear industry employers. Plans are to begin enrollment for the new degree program this fall.
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SRSCRO Spotlight
SRSCRO APPOINTING ENTITY
The Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce operates to serve their members through Promotion, Education and Advocacy. The benefits derived from chamber membership are unique to every member because each member has unique needs and expectations. The Chamber strives to understand their members' needs and create value through building real relationships.
MISSION:
The Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce provides leadership in representing the business community in supporting a cultural environment by providing opportunities for community engagement and growth.
VISION:
The Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce will be a community catalyst promoting collaboration and partnerships that maintain a positive business environment and enrich the community's quality of life.
The Chamber is located in the City of North Augusta in Aiken County, SC, which exists in a truly unique position near the twin centers of Southern business - Atlanta and Charlotte - and within three hours of two of the largest ports - Savannah and Charleston - in North America. Businesses here thrive on direct and accessible roadways, reliable rail and air shipping, and a convenient import and export system.
Low construction costs, tax incentives, a labor pool of approximately 270,000 people and an existing infrastructure make the area attractive to companies looking to relocate or open their doors.
For more information, view the Chamber's web site at http://www.northaugustachamber.org/
The Chamber has appointed their President Ms. Terra Carroll to the SRSCRO Board of Directors. |
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NWI Scholarships 
Aiken Technical College will hold the third NWI�Academy June 17-July 26, 2013.
New this year - scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available for the program. Students will engage in an educational and awareness experience that leads to nuclear industry related careers.
The program provides a unique opportunity to interact with industry experts, learn about the many skills needed by the industry and students will earn six college credit hours. Participants must have a high school diploma or GED.
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Dr. Moniz Confirmed 
The Senate on May 16 voted 97-0 to approve President Obama's nominee, Dr. Ernie Moniz, to head the Department of Energy. Dr. Moniz was sworn in on May 21.
The Senate vote on Moniz was delayed for more than three weeks after Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., objected to Obama's plan to cut about $200 million from the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, a facility to transform weapons-grade plutonium into fuel. But he removed that hold the prior week, saying "some good collaborations with the White House" helped convince him to lift his hold on Ernest Moniz's nomination. |
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