GOVERNOR RISCH ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT
IN MEDICAL ISOTOPE PRODUCTION

BOISE – Governor Jim Risch announced today that the state will invest $2 million in isotope production capabilities and research at the Idaho National Laboratory.  The long-term loan comes from Idaho’s INL economic development fund and allows Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) to speed up the installation of isotope production equipment at the INL’s Advanced Test Reactor.

“This is a significant investment by the state that has major benefits on several fronts.  The equipment will produce isotopes that will be used in lifesaving medical procedures and in other areas, and it will attract medical and research businesses to Idaho,” Risch said.  “This investment also strengthens INL’s research capabilities, which benefits their mission as well as the economy of the surrounding communities.”

The funding allows for the installation of a Transfer Shuttle Irradiation Facility, known in the industry as a “Rabbit.”  The equipment will produce medical and other isotopes and allows for research experiments that involve shorter irradiation times than current reactor operations.

The first $1 million payment from the State to BEA will occur January 30, 2007, with the second payment made later in the year.  Under the terms of the loan to BEA the equipment is to be installed by 2008.  Repayment of the loan will begin in 2011 for the first $1 million with the second payment to be made in 2012.

The source of the loan is from the INEEL Settlement Fund, which received $30 million from the U.S. Department of Energy as part of their 1995 court settlement with the State of Idaho.

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