December 2019 – Congress approved a package of spending bills that includes Fiscal Year 2020 funding for DOE. Congress reached an agreement that will provide increases to the Office of Environmental Management (EM), Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Office of Science, and more. President Trump is expected to sign the bill before current federal government funding expires on December 21.
DOE spending will increase nearly $3 billion for a total of $38.5 billion in FY 2020. Of that amount, defense environmental cleanup funding will be increased $231 million for a total of $6.2 billion—the highest level of funding in at least 10 years. Link to Bulletin

December 5, 2019

First Article: With many people in the local community in need of food this holiday season, the workforce at the West Valley Demonstration Project did their part to help the families this winter. The WVDP hosted its annual food drive, donating food to nine food pantries across the area.

Second Article: Rep. Tom Reed announced his bill to authorize $75 million dollars a year for the West Valley Demonstration Project through 2026 to secure and remove nuclear waste from the site passed the Senate and is headed to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

“For the first time in more than 35 years, our friends and neighbors will have the peace of mind that the West Valley Demonstration Project cleanup is a top priority and has long term funding authorization from Washington,” Reed said. “We are proud to be an unrelenting advocate for West Valley and care about ensuring fair funding for the complete and total cleanup of this nuclear site. We are excited about this bill’s success as we ensure the health and safety of our environment in Western New York for years to come.”

“I would like to thank Congressman Higgins, members of the Energy and Commerce Committee and my colleagues in the Senate for their support of this bill,” concluded Reed. Link to articles

December 4, 2019 – Today, Rep. Tom Reed announced his bill to authorize $75 million dollars a year for the West Valley Demonstration Project through 2026 to secure and remove nuclear waste from the site passed the Senate and is headed to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

“For the first time in more than 35 years, our friends and neighbors will have the peace of mind that the West Valley Demonstration Project cleanup is a top priority and has long term funding authorization from Washington,” Tom said. “We are proud to be an unrelenting advocate for West Valley and care about ensuring fair funding for the complete and total cleanup of this nuclear site. We are excited about this bill’s success as we ensure the health and safety of our environment in Western New York for years to come.”

“I would like to thank Congressman Higgins, members of the Energy and Commerce Committee and my colleagues in the Senate for their support of this bill,” concluded Tom. Link to Press Release

December 4, 2019 – A bill to authorizing $75 million a year for the West Valley Demonstration Project through 2026 to secure and remove nuclear waste passed the Senate and is headed to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

“For the first time in more than 35 years, our friends and neighbors will have the peace of mind that the West Valley Demonstration Project cleanup is a top priority and has long term funding authorization from Washington,” U.S. Rep Tom Reed said Tuesday. “We are excited about this bill’s success as we ensure the health and safety of our environment in Western New York for years to come.” Link to article

November 28, 2019 – A holiday tradition in the Town of Ashford is returning for the fourth year. The annual Ashford tree lighting ceremony will be on Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. in front of the Ashford Community Center, located at 9377 Route 240, in West Valley and will provide many fun activities for people of all ages.

During the tree lighting, a variety of fun activities will be held including a guest speaker, singing from the West Valley Central School chorus, refreshments from the Girls Scouts and the 4H Club, the Boy Scouts will be conducting the Pledge of Allegiance and there will be a visit from Santa Claus on a decorated fire truck. The tree for the lighting will be donated by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Ashford Highway Department will be putting up the tree. Link to article