Defense bill poised to provide record funding to Y-12

A new bill before Congress would provide recording funding approval for uranium processing facilities at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. The latest defense spending bill would authorize $760 million for the presently under construction facility at Y-12, the largest sum since the project was approved by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2012. The $6.5 billion facility is scheduled for completion in 2024. The National Defense Authorization Act would also provide $505 million for construction and cleanup projects in the Oak Ridge Reservation. The legislation is expected to be finalized after the Congressional recess in August. Once the Senate and House versions of the bill are reconciled, the bill is expected to head to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature in December.