2010 Appropriations Requests submitted by U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey:
Alternative Plant Breeding Program
Recipient: Colorado Association
100 South Clinton Street, Suite 120
Centennial, CO 80112
Amount Requested: $900,000
The funding for this project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will be used to hire an alternative plant geneticist (plant breeder) to conduct traditional plant breeding efforts for the development of oilseeds and grain sorghum for dryland production for the farmers in the Central Great Plains Region (the CGPR includes all of eastern Colorado, western Kansas, western Nebraska and southeast Wyoming). Funds will also be used to develop the plant breeding effort into a 4-state regional plant breeding network with nurseries and collaborations with the land grant universities in all four states. These new crops (oilseeds and sorghum) provide farmers in eastern Colorado additional crop options. The oilseeds can be used for both human consumption as an edible-oil (oilseeds) and as an alternative energy source for bio-diesel. The grain sorghums also have a dual use as a feedgrain for livestock and as feedstock for ethanol production. The sorghums have the added potential of being used as a direct whole-plant-tissue feedstock for ethanol production similar to sugarcane not requiring the starch conversion required with feedgrains. In addition these funds will be used to support ongoing efforts in drought mitigation research in dryland cropping systems.
Biocontainment Training Facility
Recipient: Colorado State University
203 Administration Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
A nationwide expansion in biocontainment facilities and research projects is now underway but a critical gap has emerged in the training and skill levels of personnel that work in these facilities. Colorado State University (CSU) proposes to address this national need for biocontainment training by constructing and operating a showcase training facility as part of the expansion of the Infections Disease Research Center (IDRC). The funding for this project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will help establish national standards and practices in this vital area of biocontainment principles and practices. Additionally, this program will create three new full-time jobs. Use of the training facility would have a wide-spread ripple effect in the infectious disease community, both at CSU and beyond; internally the facility would handle two sessions of 3 trainees each, twice per day, 5 days a week at maximum capacity, upwards of 100 persons per month. External groups, including biotechnology firms and government workers interested in infectious disease containment, could be part of the training pool. Individuals trained in this facility would have an enormous retention/advancement advantage in their workplace.
Colorado Forest Restoration Institute (CFRI)
Recipient: Colorado State University
203 Administration Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Amount Requested: $650,000
The Colorado Forest Restoration Institute (CFRI) in the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University supports and enhances the capacity of land management agencies, private landowners, communities, and policy-makers to improve the resilience of Colorado's forests and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires to Colorado's communities. CFRI works collaboratively with research institutions, agencies, and private entities across Colorado to apply current scientific research and field-based evidence, and enhance the ability of forest managers, landowners, and communities to adaptively manage their forested landscapes. The funding for this project is a good use of taxpayer money because widespread forest mortality from severe wildfires, insects, and diseases may decrease biological diversity over the short-term and affect the quantity and quality of water flowing from Colorado's forests to all the states of the southwest. Additionally, the proposed project will save or create 11 full time positions at the CFRI.
Geosciences/Atmospheric Research at Colorado State University
Recipient: Colorado State University
203 Administration Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
The funding for this project is a good use of taxpayer funds because the Geosciences/Atmospheric Research (CG/AR) at CSU provides multi-disciplinary research using the internationally-recognized CSU capabilities to focus on priority environmental problems and questions of concern to the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force. The non-classified research features interactions among CSU faculty, students and staff with Department of Defense research laboratory scientists. A rigorous, annual scientific peer review system ensures that CG/AR research is productive, high-quality, and providing results of immediate use to our forces in the field. In addition to the important research conducted at CG/AR, the Center employs 17 full-time workers and impacts the economy of Northern Colorado through associations with local computer suppliers, travel agents and others via the multiplier effect.
The InteGrid Laboratory: Developing the Smart Grid Simulation Laboratory
Recipient: Colorado State University
203 Administration Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Amount Requested: $1,350,000
CSU is developing a smart grid integration center to lead the transformation of the U.S. electric power grid from a central power generating station model to a model that permits more distributed use of renewable power generation sources and active coupling of the demand side, i.e., the end users. The InteGrid Laboratory is located in the old Fort Collins Power Plant and the partners include the City of Fort Collins Utilities, Spirae, and the Northern Colorado Clean Energy Cluster. CSU, and its Clean Energy Supercluster, is actively involved in energy research and education involving over 100 faculty. Funding will be utilized for personnel, supplies, and the specialized equipment and instrumentation necessary to develop the unique Smart Grid capabilities that will demonstration in situ a reliable, secure, and market-driven electric power grid. The funding for this project is a good use of taxpayer funds because fully integrated smart grid technology will reduce consumer electricity costs by using energy more efficiently and ensure wind and solar power are more reliable sources of energy. This technology will also allow real-time monitoring of the grid for trouble shooting potential weaknesses in the system. Such monitoring will ultimately reduce blackouts and their costly economic impacts.
National Beef Cattle Genetic Evaluation Consortium
Recipient: Colorado State University
203 Administration Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Amount Requested: $1,800,000
The funding for this project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium (NBCEC), a consortium of three universities, is requesting federal support for efforts to develop advanced genetic evaluation systems that will improve the profitability and global competitiveness of the United States beef industry. The Consortium, created by an Act of Congress and included in the 2002 Farm Bill, seeks to help reverse the erosion in the U.S. genetic evaluation system and to restore the competitive advantage historically maintained by U.S. beef producers.
Program of Economically Important Infectious Animal Diseases (PEIIAD)
Recipient: Colorado State University
203 Administration Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Amount Requested: $950,000
The funding for this project is a good use of taxpayer funds because PEIIAD's creation filled a national void as no single entity had provided timely, multidisciplinary research focused entirely on animal diseases that either threaten the US food supply or have the potential to cause serious economic losses for animal agriculture on a local, national, and international scale. Since its inception, PEIIAD has been continually at the forefront addressing the most challenging questions about animal disease surveillance systems, the detection of and response to emerging and re-emerging animal diseases, diagnostic strategies for infectious animal diseases, food safety concerns, risk analysis models and protocols, and trade economics. More than 50 scientists and graduate students have been involved in PEIIAD activities since the program’s inception. Continued funding for this program will save or create 7-8 jobs.
Russian Wheat Aphid
Recipient: Colorado State University
203 Administration Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Amount Requested: $425,000
The funding for this project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will help develop the knowledge and technical capabilities to respond to present and future challenges by applying new technologies to the genetic enhancement of wheat cultivars. In addition to the scientific advancements, this project employs seven research associates, graduate research assistants, and undergraduate work-study students. The project also impacts wheat growers who plant CSU varieties and would otherwise have delayed access to varieties improved for aphid resistance and stress tolerance. CSU varieties account for two-thirds or more of the wheat acreage in the state, so the economic impact is significant, but it's hard to express it in terms of number of jobs.
Sewer system upgrades for Town of Eckley
Recipient: Town of Eckley, Colorado
235 N.W. Morton, P.O. Box 217
Eckley, CO 80727
Amount Requested: $1,051,380
The town of Eckley's sewer system is antiquated, outdated, and out of compliance with Colorado standards, resulting in environmental impacts to the surrounding water table. The proposed project includes upgrades and improvements to the collection system, lift stations, and its wastewater treatment plant. At the wastewater treatment plant, the project includes lining the aerated lagoon, replacing the headworks, replacing monitoring wells, adding meters, improving controls, and replacing pumps. In the collection system, the project includes replacing 13,500 lineal feet of sewer line and replacing two lift stations. The funding for this project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will halt the environmental degradation caused by the existing antiquated system by restoring the sewer facilities to a compliant, operable and functional state. This funding request is through the EPA State and Tribal Grant (STAG) Program and requires a 45% cost share.
SH 96: Bridges near Eads, Colorado
Recipient: Colorado Department of Transportation
4201 E. Arkansas Ave #275
Denver, CO 80222
Amount Requested: $600,000
This funding request would pay for preliminary and final design of structures on SH 96 west of the Town of Eads. K-24-A at MP 141.889, Str K-23-B at MP 123.337, K-23-C at MP 121.112, L-22-F at MP 114.567. Remove and replace existing structures. Work consists of structural concrete, reinforcing steel, embankment, Hot Mix Asphalt, signing, striping, seeding and mulching. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because, in addition to providing local employment, it will improve the safety of bridges on SH 96 west of the town of Eads.
Sustainable Biofuels Development Center (SBDC)
Recipient: Colorado State University
203 Administration Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Amount Requested: $2,300,000
The funding for this project is a good use of taxpayer funds because SBDC will enhance the capability of America's biofuels industry to produce transportation fuels and chemical feedstocks on a large scale, with significant energy yields, at competitive cost, through sustainable production techniques. CSU will expand its impact through continued research and student training, as well as the acquisition of equipment to facilitate the chemical and biological analysis of plants, microorganisms, and biofuels. The SBDC builds on a history of entrepreneurship-based research at CSU and will have a direct impact on the local, state and national economy. Nationally, the SBDC will help to insulate the US economy from fuel shortages by increasing our ability to produce and utilize a variety of domestically-produced biofuels. At the state level, the SBDC will serve as a resource for the state's farmers and fuel processors to enhance their competitiveness. Locally, the SBDC will create jobs as a result of the commercialization of new production processes that will serve a global market for sustainable biofuels and biological energy production systems. Ultimately, the energy companies created at the SBDC and the processes those companies develop will help brand Colorado as a focal point of clean biofuel entrepreneurship, resulting in economic and environmental benefits. In addition, this program supports close to 30 jobs, from full-time staff to university faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
Timber Bridge on US 24, Limon, CO
Recipient: Colorado Department of Transportation
4201 E. Arkansas Avenue #275
Denver, CO 80222
Amount Requested: $1,520,000
This funding request will accommodate the reconstruction of a timber bridge on US 24 just east of Limon (at Mile Post 379.49). The structure was originally constructed in 1934, and has now been deemed “structurally deficient.” This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide jobs and will immensely improve safety for residents of Limon.
Truancy Response and Intervention Program
Recipient: Weld County Juvenile Assessment Center
2835 10th Street
Greeley, CO 80634
Amount Requested: $248,427
The Weld County Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) wishes to expand its Truancy Response and Intervention Program (TRIP) to school districts throughout the southern and rural parts of Weld County. The TRIP has proven to be effective at providing multi-level intervention support and assistance to truant youth and their parent(s), enabling them to remain engaged or to re-engage in the education process. This project will provide necessary start up costs for the expansion of the JAC's evidence based Truancy Intervention and Response Program (TRIP) to South Weld County school districts, Weld RE-1J St. Vrain, Weld RE-3J Keenesburg and Weld RE-8 Ft. Lupton. Current economic conditions will not allow these school districts to participate at the level needed to fund this expansion plan. Federal funding will allow this project to begin immediately, while providing time for affected school districts to commit continuation resources for this project. Approximately 250-300 youth per year will receive truancy intervention support and service through this project. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will reduce chronic truant behavior in Weld County. Without attention, chronic truant behavior reduces high school graduation rates, drains school and community resources, and leads to criminal conduct and penetration into the criminal justice system. Truant behavior also reduces the likelihood that a youth will be able to obtain gainful employment, which results in the need for lifelong support through social service systems.
Upper Big Thompson Canyon Bridge Replacement
Recipient: Colorado Department of Transportation
4201 E. Arkansas Avenue #275
Denver, CO 80222
Amount Requested: $2,500,000
This funding request would replace two bridges (Structures C-15-I & C-15-J) on US 34 in the Big Thompson Canyon, near the Town of Estes Park. The improvements will include bridge replacement along with pavement markings, guardrail improvements, seeding, mulching and traffic control. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide jobs and improve safety and traffic conditions on US 34.
US 287 in Berthoud
Recipient: Colorado Department of Transportation
4201 E. Arkansas Avenue #275
Denver, CO 80222
Amount Requested: $330,000
This funding request would accommodate the much needed improvements along US 287 in the Town of Berthoud. The improvements will include surface overlay, pavement markings, seeding, mulching and traffic control. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide jobs, and it improves safety conditions for residents in and around Berthoud, Colorado.
US 385: Julesburg South
Recipient: Colorado Department of Transportation
4201 E. Arkansas Ave #275
Denver, CO 80222
Amount Requested: $880,000
This funding request would accommodate much needed improvements along US 385 south of the Town of Julesburg. The improvements will include surface overlay, guardrail upgrades, pavement markings, seeding, mulching and traffic control. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will improve the safety conditions along US 385 south of Julesburg and will create employment opportunities in the area.
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