H.R. 1, the continuing resolution (CR) passed by the House in February that would cut some $61 billion from FY 2010 levels for the remainder of FY 2011 is no friend of nuclear safety. A rundown of the bill reveals the following cuts:

In addition to these, NationalJournal.com notes ($) that the House CR would also cut $1.4 billion from first responder training resulting in a reduction of 46,000 emergency personnel trained in nuclear emergencies. The authors of bill, in their zeal to cut cut cut failed to consider if the funding levels at the various nuclear-related agencies and programs are sufficient. However, the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan is forcing policy makers in the U.S. to evaluate the status of nuclear safety at home. Yet, funding for dozens of other programs are on the chopping block but will receive little if any scrutiny because there is no equivalent crisis.