A report released Friday showed the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Committee recommended $5 million for continued studies of the bunker buster, officially known as the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP). Supporters say it might be needed to attack underground facilities of U.S. enemies by penetrating the ground and exploding.

In addition, the committee recommended approval of $25 million to maintain the Nevada Test Site in case testing of nuclear weapons is resumed there.

Some Utahns fear the resumption of nuclear testing of the bunker buster or other weapons could spew radioactive debris into Utah as it did during Cold War testing. Utahns blame the testing for illnesses and numerous deaths. Testing ended in 1992 with an international moratorium.

An environmental group, the Healthy Environmental Alliance, or HEAL Utah, renewed its previous criticism of Sen. Bob Bennett as a member of the committee for failing to oppose the bunker buster and Nevada Test Site funding.

"We're very disappointed that, to the best of our knowledge, he made no attempt to cut that funding," said Vanessa Pierce, HEAL program director.

Bennett, in the past, has said he supported research into the bunker buster and did not see that as a prelude to testing. He said any resumption of testing would have to be approved by Congress.

"Senator Bennett is opposed to nuclear testing," his spokeswoman, Mary Jane Collipriest, said Friday.

"He believes the ongoing study and research of the RNEP is important to prevent the need for testing."