Senator Scott Finds Obama Administration’s MOX Proposal Baffling

Washington – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) released the following statement in response to the Obama administration’s decision to terminate the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MOX) program at the Savannah River Site as part of his final budget proposal:

“It is baffling, but not surprising, that President Obama’s final failed budget proposal would include a reckless decision to terminate the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MOX) program at the Savannah River Site. The United States cannot just terminate the MOX project and walk away from our longstanding international agreement with Russia to dispose of a total of 68 metric tons of weapons grade nuclear material. Throughout the Obama administration, his Department of Energy has consistently worked to undermine this vital project and attempted to spread misinformation about its progress.

“Just as important as our international agreement, the Obama administration seems fine just breaking a promise to the people of South Carolina. When we agreed to host the MOX facility in 2000, we agreed that the nuclear material would be processed in state, not just left here indefinitely. It is irresponsible and careless for President Obama to ignore this fact and proceed with an ill-conceived dilute and disposal plan that is riddled with unanswered questions and serious international nonproliferation ramifications.

“As the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2017 begins in earnest in Congress, I will continue working to ensure that MOX is funded at acceptable levels for the project to continue. Too much is at stake, and political games cannot take precedence over common sense.”