Critical Legislation to Continue Cleanup and Job Support at West Valley Nuclear Site
From the Office of Congressman Nick Langworthy,
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) today announced the introduction of the West Valley Demonstration Project Reauthorization Act, legislation that extends the federal government’s authority to complete the cleanup and environmental restoration at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) in Cattaraugus County.
The West Valley site is the only commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing facility ever to operate in the United States. Following its closure in the 1970s, Congress passed the West Valley Demonstration Project Act of 1980 directing the Department of Energy (DOE) to solidify high-level radioactive waste and decommission contaminated facilities. Over four decades later, the project continues to protect the surrounding communities and the Great Lakes watershed while sustaining hundreds of good-paying local jobs.
Congressman Langworthy’s bill would extend DOE’s cleanup authorization through fiscal year 2037 and double the annual authorized funding level from $75 million to $150 million to reflect the expanded scope and cost of waste removal, stabilization, and shipping.
“The West Valley cleanup is vital to the health, safety, and prosperity of Western New York,” said Congressman Langworthy. “This project protects our Great Lakes, sustains hundreds of local jobs, and continues to make tremendous progress toward full environmental restoration. My bill ensures that the Department of Energy has the long-term resources and stability it needs to finish the job once and for all.”
“As Supervisor of the Town of Ashford, I commend Congressman Langworthy for introducing legislation to reauthorize and expand funding for the West Valley Demonstration Project,” said Ashford Town Supervisor John Pfeffer. “This renewed commitment is critical to protecting the health, safety, and economic future of our residents — ensuring that cleanup efforts continue responsibly and that our community remains an active partner in the long-term stewardship of the site.”
“Funding at this level supports the capacity to accelerate cleanup, eliminate potential environmental threats, and reduce the site’s footprint and life-cycle costs,” Jason Casper, West Valley Cleanup Alliance President and Program Manager said. “This is certainly good news for the community and continued cleanup of the West Valley Demonstration Project. We are deeply grateful to Congressman Langworthy for introducing this important legislation. West Valley Cleanup Alliance, the Department of Energy’s prime contractor at the site, remains committed to conducting cleanup in a way that protects the health and safety of workers, general public, and the environment while reducing environmental legacy risks.”
The reauthorization provides crucial planning certainty for DOE, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and federal and state regulators to complete the next phase of cleanup. The project currently supports roughly 350 skilled workers, including engineers, environmental scientists, and trades professionals employed by West Valley Cleanup and its subcontractors.
In addition to supporting local employment, the West Valley Demonstration Project contributes tens of millions of dollars annually to the Western New York economy through payroll and local procurement, while maintaining strong support from community leaders and regulatory agencies including DOE, NYSERDA, EPA, NRC, and NYSDEC.
Congressman Langworthy concluded, “This reauthorization reaffirms my commitment to the responsible stewardship of our natural resources, preserving local jobs and harnessing scientific innovation.”
More about the West Valley Demonstration Project: https://www.chbwv.com
