ID HCR019

Congratulates Idaho National Laboratory on the 60th anniversary of the Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR-I), which in 1951 produced the world's first usable amounts of electricity from nuclear power.

Acknowledges the federal government's multibillion dollar investments in 51 reactors and supporting facilities on the Arco Desert site and in Idaho Falls representing distinctive nuclear science and engineering infrastructure.

Recognizes scientific infrastructure renewal efforts from 2005-2010 that resulted in construction or modification of six new facilities in Idaho Falls and five labs and offices on the INL Site, with a new 91,000 square foot Energy Systems Laboratory groundbreaking scheduled for completion in late 2012.

Applauds Governor Otter, Attorney General Wasden, and the U.S. Department of Energy for negotiating a Memorandum of Agreement allowing Settlement Agreement-compliant quantities of used commercial fuel to be brought to INL for examination and testing.

Supports cost-effective acceleration of legacy waste cleanup and shipment out of state while protecting Idaho's environmental interests and enhancing the laboratory's future mission prospects.