By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is eliminating a small Department of Energy program that monitors radioactive materials at federal sites, triggering questions from a Democratic congressman. Rep. Edward Markey of Massachusetts, in a letter to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, questioned why the program is being phased out, considering the increased threat of terrorism and warnings that al-Qaida has been trying to obtain nuclear materials. The Energy Department said the program has been discontinued because it finished its work. DOE spokesman Joe Davis said radioactive materials at federal sites around the country have been identified, and now the agency is either consolidating or getting rid of them. Cutting the program will save about $1 million. "While Congressman Markey has outlined some facts, the conclusion he's come to — that we don't support these programs — is simply wrong," said DOE spokesman Joe Davis. "We are deeply committed to finding and recovering material to prevent terrorists from getting a hold of it." The Nuclear Materials Stewardship Program was set up to monitor and dispose of surplus nuclear materials, including plutonium and uranium. The program, Markey said, "has been very effective in retrieving abandoned radioactive sources and storing them safely. The Department of Energy should not have canceled it." The Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulates the handling and disposal of radioactive waste and materials from research labs, power plants and hospitals. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm.../20030829/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/nuclear_materials ------------------------ have a nice weekend folks! off to the Pokonos!
