[cdn-nucl-l] Sponsoring university science and engineering programs in the US to the tune of $240 million over 5 years

[Adam Gordon McLean <mclean@ecf.utoronto.ca>]

Hi All!

	This (below) is from the ANS at
www.ans.org/pi/documents/981649808.html - a bill has been brought forth
giving $240 million over 5 years to nuclear science and engineering
programs across the US.  Wow.  If this passes through the US senate and
House, it'll be quite a message coming from down south.  Even putting it
forward says a lot about the attitude toward nuclear research. 
	Up here, I heard rumors of a COG-sponsored $5 million program for
Canadian nuclear research though that was initially a few months ago
though I have not heard much since.  Also don't know the time period
involved?  Any more info out there? 

	Adam

---------------------------------
University Nuclear Science and Engineering Programs Legistlation is
Introduced

Senators Bingaman (D-NM), Domenici (R-NM) and Crapo (R-ID) introduced
S.242 on February 1. The bill would authorize $240 million in federal
spending for University Nuclear Science and Engineering Programs at the
Department of Energy for fiscal years 2002 through 2006.

The bill also directs the Department of Energy to develop a graduate and
undergraduate fellowship program to attract new students, and to assist
universities in recruiting and retaining new faculty.

The legislation authorizes total spending of $239.7 million over five
years for research and fellowship programs, starting at $30.2 million in
fiscal 2002 and rising to $64.1 million in fiscal 2006. The two largest
investments, $68 million each (over the five year period), would go to the
Nuclear Engineering and Education Research Program (NEER) and the Reactor
Research and Training Award Program. For recruitment, $39 million would be
targeted to the Junior Faculty Research Initiation Grant Program, with
another $15.7 million authorized for graduate and undergraduate
fellowships.

Discussions are ongoing with House members about the introduction of a
companion piece in the House in order to ensure the authorization moves
forward to enactment. Once authorized, the funding would still require
annual appropriations through the Energy and Water Development
Appropriations bill. However, this bill serves to recognize the importance
of these programs to the nuclear science infrastructure and the need to
make investments into these areas.

Please contact your Senators and ask them to cosponsor S. 242. Also,
please send a note of appreciate to Sen. Bingaman, as well as Sens. Crapo
and Domenici for this measure.