On July 2, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designated portions of the plant as eligible under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). The designation helps the Corps to proceed in their investigation and eventual clean-up of the radiation contamination present at the plant.
Grassley said that although the designation came late in the fiscal 2003 budgeting process, the project should still be considered for funding.
"As appropriators draft spending bills for the next fiscal year, they should direct the Army Corps of Engineers to use available funding towards the investigation," Grassley said. "Iowans have waited long enough and they shouldn't have to wait another year."
According to the Army Corps of Engineers, the full cost of the clean-up can be estimated once the Corps' investigation has defined the nature and extent of the contamination.
Grassley's letter was sent to Sens. Harry Reid of Nevada and Pete Domenici of New Mexico, who as chairman and ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development are responsible for drafting the federal government's spending plan for FUSRAP projects in the next fiscal year. The appropriations process begins each spring and is typically completed at the end of each congressional session.