South Carolina Lawmakers Question Rumors of Layoffs at SRS

Sen. Stom Thurmond, R-SC, and Rep. Lindsey Graham, R-SC disagree with Energy Department officials who say budget shortfalls in their department might force layoffs at the Savannah River Site nuclear complex.

SRS manager Greg Rudy and chief financial officer John Pesconsolido ar emeeting with other Energy Department site representatives in Washington this week to discuss what Rudy has called "congressional budget cuts".

The program direction account in the department's environmental management division has been cut by 10 percent, Rudy said. The account funds salaries, training, travel, and other expenses for the division's employees, including 456 at SRS.

Graham said there have been no cuts. Congress voted to give the division $339.4 million in fiscal year 2000, up from $337 million in 1999, he said.

Graham said reports of cuts are a matter of "trying to play politics and excuse making".

Thurmond said the department is trying to "create a panic in order to get more funding."