ENERGY SECRETARY LOWERS ESTIMATE OF COST FOR NUCLEAR CLEANUP

Energy Secretary James Watkins told Congress this week that he doubted it would cost as much to clean up pollution at the nation's nuclear weapons plants as the official estimates of between $65 billion and $100 billion. Mr. Watkins made his remarks at a Senate budget subcommittee that is examining the Energy Department's plans for correcting problems at 16 major weapons plants in 12 states.

Watkins said projections on costs included unnecessary frills at a time of tight budgeting.