A key U.S. Senate committee has approved President Bush’s budget request to pay for a mixed-oxide fuel plant at the Savannah River Site, a request its House counterpart slashed last month.

The Energy and Water Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee this week allotted $368 million in 2005-06 for a MOX plant, which would turn weapons-grade plutonium into fuel suitable for use in commercial nuclear plants.

Last month, a House committee agreed to only $35 million for the plant. House leaders cited delays in plant construction and a disagreement between the United States and Russia over a twin MOX plant that would be built in that country.

The nations cannot agree on the liability of Americans who would work on the Russian plant.

The House’s decision last month disappointed the Bush administration and S.C. proponents of the $4 billion plant, which could create more than 1,000 jobs at and around the Savannah River Site near Aiken.

The Senate and House will have to agree on funding levels for a MOX plant before final passage of the energy and water bill.

CHARLESTON

• DOT plans for upkeep of bridge

The state Transportation Commission has set aside $1 million for the new Cooper River bridge’s first year of maintenance.

The $632 million structure, the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America, opens July 16. Initially, the state did not set aside any money for maintenance, but the $1 million approved Thursday will cover maintenance for the first year.

The bridge’s high-tech cable system, expansion joints and electrical components are under warranty. However, the state must maintain them so as not to void the warranties.

MOUNT PLEASANT

• Park to be built at foot of bridge

After the new Cooper River bridge opens to traffic next month — and after the twin bridges it replaces are torn down — a sprawling park will be developed at the foot of the bridge on the Mount Pleasant side of the Cooper River.

Preliminary plans for the $6 million park call for, among other things, an amphitheater, fishing pier, an overlook, a veterans memorial and a visitor center and museum. The park is expected to be complete in 2008.

The fishing pier, built on the pilings of one of the old bridges, will be 1,100 feet long, one of the area’s longest.

GREENVILLE

• Salvation Army gets $46 million gift

The Salvation Army of Greenville has received a $46.2 million gift to build and operate a center for family support, education, recreation and the arts.

The money is from the Salvation Army Kroc Bequest, created by Joan and Ray Kroc, the late co-founder of the McDonald’s restaurant chain. It is one of 10 foundation grants to Salvation Army organizations nationwide.

The grant will build the $23 million Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center, which will include a new home for the city’s Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army offices, a chapel, a family enrichment center and a cultural arts center. It also will feature a junior golf course, a skateboard park, a water park and an ice hockey rink built to National Hockey League standards.

Contributing: Staff writer Lauren Markoe and The Associated Press