Trump suggests steep cuts for nuclear, possibly affecting Idaho National Lab

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget reportedly includes sharp cuts for nuclear energy research, as well as other types of energy research.

The cuts drew a letter of opposition from six Republican senators, many from states with national laboratories, but neither of Idaho’s senators are signatories.

Online news service Axios Media, a recent startup formed by former Politico reporters and editors, reported Wednesday that it had seen a draft copy of Trump’s proposed 2018 budget for the Department of Energy. Axios reports that the draft slashes nuclear energy funding from $1.1 billion to $703 million, a 31 percent reduction.

Former Idaho National Laboratory Director John Grossenbacher said if the reported numbers were to be enacted, it would mean tough choices at the lab.

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article151512702.html