Matt Salmon: “last year during floor consideration of an amendment to eliminate the advanced light water reactor program, I supported…”

“last year during floor consideration of an amendment to eliminate the advanced light water reactor program, I supported continued funding for the program. I did it because I was assured that fiscal 1996 would be the final year of the program. To my surprise, tonight is deja vu all over again. I thought it was important to support the program throughout its completion in order to recoup some of the $340 million of taxpayer money we have invested in the program to date. But it is becoming increasingly apparent that this technology, once certified, may not even have a market. General Electric canceled development of a similar reactor because they believe that the market for smaller advanced light water reactors is nonexistent. If this reactor is really worth the investment, can a corporate giant like Westinghouse not come up with the $17 million to complete the program? We can save $17 million for the taxpayers tonight if we vote for discontinuing this program, or we can be back here next year, same program, same debate, deja vu again.”