HOUSE BILL REPORT

SJM 8019

BYSenators Benitz, Hansen, Newhouse, Stratton, Hayner, Bluechel, Metcalf and Vognild

Requesting Congress to locate the plutonium-238 mission at Hanford.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; H. Myers, Vice Chair; Hankins, Ranking Republican Member; Bennett, Brooks, Cooper, Jacobsen, Jesernig, May, R. Meyers, Miller and S. Wilson.

House Staff: Fred Adair (786-7113)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 7, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) at Hanford is a multi-purpose research reactor plant.  It was originally intended to serve as a developmental link in the national breeder reactor program, currently suspended.  It could so serve again if the breeder program is revived.  Since being brought on line in 1982, the FFTF has operated very efficiently, safely, and has done valuable research, developmental and irradiation work.  Because of the versatile design of the FFTF, several irradiation test programs can be conducted concurrently.

The Department of Energy is considering where to produce plutonium-238, something the FFTF could do very well.  Plutonium-238 is a power source for long-range space missions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  Irradiation testing can be conducted concurrently with plutonium-238 production in the FFTF.  The FFTF is the only one of the Department of Energy's reactors that can simultaneously produce plutonium-238 and conduct the above-described advanced scientific work.

SUMMARY:

The president, Congress, and the Department of Energy are urged to continue the present mission of the Fast Flux Test Facility and to add the plutonium-238 production mission.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Max Benitz, prime sponsor; Marie Harris, Westinghouse Hanford Company (only in response to members' questions); Jim Boldt, Westinghouse Hanford Company and Michael Geffon, Heart of America Northwest (stated neither pro nor con but had some concerns).

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The FFTF advantage is flexibility - the ability to do a variety of research, developmental, and experimental work concurrently with plutonium production.  FFTF, alone among Department of Energy's reactors, is built in conformance to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements.  Without the plutonium-238 mission, it is likely that FFTF could be terminated, with the loss of a unique national scientific asset.  FFTF termination would involve about 1,000 direct jobs lost in the Tri-Cities.  Mr. Geffon expressed concern that the FFTF not adversely affect Hanford waste cleanup and whether FFTF operation is adequately overseen.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.