May 25, 2006

Delivering for Central Ohio

Energy and Water Appropriations Helps Fund Whittier Peninsula Redevelopment 

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) announced that the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY07, which passed the House by a vote of 404 - 20, contained $750,000 in funding for Whittier Peninsula Redevelopment project, a City of Columbus priority to refurbish the peninsula for economic development and future greenspace. In keeping with the Republican commitment to spend taxpayer dollars wisely, the bill totals $172 million below last year’s funding level.

“Community leaders have coalesced around the redevelopment of Whittier Peninsula, and the area has the potential to be both an economic and recreational treasure in Columbus,” said Pryce.  “I am grateful that my funding request was honored, as it plays an important role in the refurbishing the area.  We stand on the cusp of creating a unique business development center in our downtown area and convert a brownfield into greenspace. I am proud to help the project move forward.”

The funds allotted in H.R. 5427 will be used to rehabilitate the century old storm tanks on the east bank of the Scioto.  Currently, the aging state of the facility makes it incapable of accommodating the development and population growth projected for the peninsula, and its upgrade will make the project far more attractive to developers, future businesses, and families who will ultimately inhabit the area.

The bill, H.R. 5427, provides $30 billion in funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Interior .

Highlights of H.R. 5427, The FY 2007 Energy and Water Appropriations bill

·         Totals $172 million below last year’s level of funding, honoring our commitment to spending taxpayer dollars wisely; 

·         Provides $24.373 billion for the Department of Energy, $327 million above the FY2006 level and $299 million above the request;

·         Fully funds the American Competitiveness Initiative which would strengthen basic research by increasing funding for the DOE Office of Science, for a total of $4.132 billion;

·         Supports the Advanced Energy Initiative by increasing funding for a variety of clean energy technologies, including biomass, hydrogen, solar, wind, and clean coal;     

·         Funds Energy Supply and Conservation programs at $2 billion, $102 million above FY06;

·         Supports fossil energy research and development programs at $558 million, an increase of $88.5 over the request, includes $54 million for FutureGen, and $36.4 million for the Clean Coal Power Initiative; and

·         Funds the Yucca Mountain repository at $544.5 million.  This includes $156.4 million for Nuclear Waste Disposal and $388 million for Defense Nuclear Waste Disposal.  In addition, the Committee provides another $30 million for interim storage of spent fuel, subject to authorization.