DOE to finance monitor on river

Radiation program will get $300,000

Georgia's program to monitor radiation in the Savannah River will be extended until Dec. 31 with a $300,000 allocation from the U.S. Energy Department, which had planned to end the program this spring.

ADVERTISEMENT

Have a thought? Go to the Forums or Chat.

Subscribe  E-mail this story  Write a letter to the Editor  Printer-friendly version  Get news on your PDA  Get e-mail headlines

"We are pleased that the U.S. Department of Energy has recognized the importance of this environmental monitoring program to the people of Georgia," Gov. Sonny Perdue said in statement.

DOE, which operates Savannah River Site in South Carolina, provided $1.8 million during the past three years to help Georgia's Environmental Protection Division establish its monitoring efforts.

In November, DOE announced funding would end Jan. 17, with an explanation that the grant was never intended to be ongoing support. Georgia authorities thought the funding was to continue indefinitely.

In February, Mr. Perdue appealed DOE's decision to end funding to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, who - at the time - rejected the governor's request for more funds.

Mr. Abraham concurred with local DOE officials who claimed Georgia's radiation monitoring efforts were "redundant" because extensive monitoring already is conducted on the South Carolina side of the river.

Monday's agreement, which includes $300,000 from DOE, will allow Georgia's program to operate until the end of the year, EPD Director Carol Couch said.

"We will immediately begin work on a proposal to secure DOE funding for monitoring work in 2005 and beyond," Dr. Couch said.

Georgia officials have contended that EPD's program, which includes radiological sampling of fish, soil and other matter, is necessary to protect Georgia's interests.

Although the program was scheduled to end in January, a scaled-down monitoring effort has remained under way.

Reach Robert Pavey at (706) 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.

--From the Tuesday, May 4, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle