|
 |
|||||||||||||||||
Dear constituents, Below, please find requests on behalf of my constituents to the House Committee on Appropriations for fiscal year 2011. I am extremely concerned about the difficult economic issues facing families in Washington state, as well as our growing federal deficit. Congressional sponsored projects make up less that 2 percent of the discretionary budget and do not contribute to the deficit as these funds would otherwise be spent by agencies. However, in recognition of the concerns that many of my constituents have about these projects, my requests for federal funding this year represent a 50 percent reduction from funding that I requested last year. I hope that this helps build confidence so that together we can face the difficult decisions necessary to reduce the federal deficit. This year, my office received nearly one hundred and fifty requests for funding from constituents in the 1st Congressional District, totaling nearly $7.5 billion. Of those request to my office, I am submitting 28 projects totaling $25.7 million. I have determined that funding for the selected local projects is crucial to improve the economy in Washington state and achieve important priorities for our region such as improved public safety. I have been careful to fully vet all projects before seeking funds to ensure that taxpayer funds are spent wisely. It is important to note that federal funding received for these projects does not contribute to the national debt. In order to reduce the number of requests this year, I have worked with my staff to carefully examine each of these requests and make difficult choices to prioritize these requests based on the following criteria:
In addition, my staff and I have carefully examined each of these requests and have consulted with the agency in question to make sure the request is compliant with the agency’s larger mission to the public. I also wanted to make sure that you are aware of new reforms build on the significant earmark reforms implemented by the House and the Committee over the past three years:
Alongside the Washington state delegation in Congress, I will work with the Committee and constituents here in the First Congressional District to advance these priorities and I am hopeful that they will find these projects to be good candidates for federal support. As always, please contact my office if you have any questions. I can be reached at (206) 361-0233 or online at http://www.house.gov/inslee/html/contact_jay.shtml . Thank you. Sincerely,
U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee SR522 Paradise Lake Road to Snohomish River – Safety and Capacity Improvements
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: Washington State Department of Transportation 310 Maple Park Avenue SE Olympia, WA 98504
The amount of the request:
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: State Route 522 is a highway of statewide significance and an important east-west route running from I-5 in Seattle to US 2 in Monroe. This project will provide motorists with a divided highway between Woodinville and Monroe, hence, alleviating bottlenecks that occur on SR 522 during weekday commutes and weekend recreational peaks. SR 522 to US 2 has seen a 33% increase in ridership between 1994 and 2004 and more than a 132% increase in collisions. Improvements to SR 522 will significantly decreasing congestion, passenger and freight travel times and improve safety and mobility on this corridor. In order to improve environmental protection along the corridor, the project includes plans to replace several fish passage culverts and construction of detention ponds to improve water quality.
Everyone Deserves to be Safe; Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County PO Box 7 Everett, WA 98206
The amount of the request:
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: Through the Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, 176 victims of domestic violence found a new start to life during the 2007/2008 program year. With a 15-bed shelter, they are not currently able to meet demand of transitional housing for victims of domestic violence in Snohomish County. In 2009, Domestic Violence Services was awarded the Oswald Army Reserve Center, surplus property in Everett, WA.
This project will convert the Oswald Army Reserve Center into a 60-bed shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. A new shelter means a reduction in the number of women and children who are living in immediate danger. With a new facility, the number of victims turned away from critical services will be reduced by at least 50 percent.
City of Shoreline SR-99 Improvement Project
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: City of Shoreline 17500 Midvale Avenue North Shoreline, WA 98133
The amount of the request:
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: Improvements to the Aurora corridor in downtown Shoreline will enhance safety, congestion, and lessen environmental impacts to a major north-south corridor, transforming it into a modern, multi-modal transportation and transit route that enhances economic development. This three-mile section from North 185th Street to 205th Street of State Route 99 carries more than 40,000 vehicles daily and provides 88% of the city’s taxable retail sales and 5,500 jobs, with another 5,000 expected by 2030. This project is part of an economic redevelopment plan to redevelop the public right-of-way that will protect the safety of drivers and transit users as well as stimulate the long-term growth opportunities for existing, new and expanding businesses. Through the development plan, the City of Shoreline has worked closely with Washington State Department of Transportation, Puget Sound Regional Council and other surrounding communities.
Electric Vehicle Readiness Implementation Planning for the 4 County Puget Sound Area
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: Puget Sound Regional Council 1011 Western Avenue, Suite 500 Seattle, WA 98104
The amount of the request:
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: Energy security and pollution reduction are national priorities and vehicle electrification can help achieve these goals. The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) has worked closely with public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders in central Puget Sound to help the four county region be Electric Vehicle Ready when the vehicles come to market in 2010 and 2011. PSRC is working with stakeholders to leverage existing public and private projects to develop electric vehicle infrastructure implementation plans in each of the four central Puget Sound counties to transition the region in to a clean fuel economy. The implementation plans the PSRC will develop will assist the public and private sector in locating infrastructure to support electric vehicles thereby cultivating private sector development. Vehicle electrification will help communities decrease pollution and reduce locally-set carbon emission reduction goals.
An important part of moving to a clean fuel economy with electric vehicles is providing an adequate number of charging stations to broaden consumer adoption and ease. PSRC will use funds provided to design a vehicle infrastructure implementation plan in each of the four central Puget Sound counties, helping the region move together to increase energy independence and decrease carbon emissions. A significant amount of work is already beginning in the region related to electric vehicle infrastructure. The Puget Sound region’s employment base was 1.94 million in 2006 and is forecast to grow by an additional 1.1 million jobs by 2040. A region-wide electric vehicle implementation plan will help position the area to generate jobs and economic prosperity while meeting carbon emission reduction goals and reducing environmental impacts of our transportation system.
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: Port of Kingston 25864 Washington Blvd. PO Box 559 Kingston, WA 98346
The amount of the request:
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: The Port of Kingston is launching a passenger-only ferry service between Kingston, WA and downtown Seattle, WA. These funds will be used for preventative maintenance of both the primary and backup vessels purchased by the Port of Kingston. This service will significantly enhance commuter service for people living and working in both Kitsap County and downtown Seattle. This project has received $150,000 from Washington state and after a one-time federal appropriation, the ferry service will be self-sustaining through commuter and charter revenue. Funding partners include: Federal Transit Administration, Washington State Department of Transportation, and Kitsap Transit. Both Jefferson Transit and Clallam Transit will have the opportunity to operate connecting service between the Kingston terminal and their counties.
Interstate 5 West Coast Green Highway Electrification Demonstration Project
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: Washington State Department of Transportation 310 Maple Park Avenue SE Olympia, WA 98504
The amount of the request:
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: This project will help the region reduce pollution and our dependence on foreign oil, two national priorities, by increasing access to alternative domestic transportation fuels and new technologies. Public and private partnerships will be formed to deploy a strategic network of grid-enabled, flexible electric vehicle (EV) charge stations, to be installed by our state’s newly-trained, green-tech workers. Importantly, these stations will be located at critical locations along Interstate 5, providing a basic EV charging backbone connecting the EV-ready cities of Vancouver B.C., Seattle and Portland and allowing interregional and interstate travel. Once funded, Interstate 5 will become the nation’s first green highway corridor.
This project will provide 10 million consumers traveling throughout the I-5 corridor clean transportation choices and make emerging technologies available in the Pacific Northwest. The project will also serve as a magnet for automakers and green-technology industries that are looking to locate or expand their business opportunities in an EV-ready region, including Washington state.
Poplar Way Extension Bridge, Lynnwood, WA
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: City of Lynnwood 19100 44 th Avenue West Lynnwood, WA 98046
The amount of the request:
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: The project will improve access to Lynnwood's City Center by constructing a new bridge over I-5 to connect Poplar Way with 33rd Avenue W. The requested funding will be used for right-of-way acquisition that is necessary for the project, providing wide sidewalks as well as continuous pedestrian access across I-5. The project will improve public safety and alleviate congestion by increasing capacity across I-5 and advance Lynnwood’s vision of becoming a regional growth center. Increased access will spur growth in Lynnwood City Center and will support the creation of up to 15,000 new jobs and 4,000 new households within Lynnwood's designated growth center by 2032.
State Route 522 and 61 st Avenue NE Improvements, Kenmore, WA
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: City of Kenmore 18120 68 th Street PO Box 82607 Kenmore, WA 98028
The amount of the request:
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: The project will significantly improve traffic safety and reduce delays along the SR 522 corridor by improving the capacity of the north and south approaches to more efficiently move vehicles through the 61st St NE intersection on SR 522. The installation of a traffic signal at 61st Avenue NE and NE 181st Street will reduce congestion to increase traffic circulation within the City of Kenmore’s commercial district and stimulate downtown redevelopment in Kenmore. The roadway serves as a major link between cities on the east side of Lake Washington and northeast Seattle, as well as being a commercial corridor. Funding for this project will address the critical need to improve safety and will reduce congestion on this heavily trafficked corridor.
Chico Creek Restoration, Kitsap County, WA
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: Kitsap County Public Works 614 Division Street, MS-26 Port Orchard, WA 98366
The amount of the request:
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: Under the Chico Initiative, county, tribal, state agencies, non-profit groups and citizens have joined together to protect Chico's headwaters and one of Puget Sound's most productive salmon streams. The county will replace the highest ranked salmon barrier, an old, heavy-duty culvert, with a new bridge. The bridge will allow salmon, an endangered species, to pass freely and open up new spawning habitat.
The community will benefit from increase salmon populations by enhancing sport, commercial and tribal fishing opportunities as well the quality of the Chico Way Salmon Viewing Park for the hundreds of people who annually visit salmon in Chico Creek, the region's most popular viewing destination. Additionally, increased salmon populations will directly contribute to the welfare of orca. For example, the J-pod resided just off the mouth of Chico Creek for the entire month of November 1997 feasting on the returning salmon. Moreover, the project will create or maintain more than 17 temporary positions for engineering and construction.
Electric Vehicle Readiness Implementation Planning for the 4 County Puget Sound Area
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: Puget Sound Regional Council 1011 Western Avenue, Suite 500 Seattle, WA 98104
The amount of the request:
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: Energy security and pollution reduction are national priorities and vehicle electrification can help achieve these goals. The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) has worked closely with public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders in central Puget Sound to help the four county region be Electric Vehicle Ready when the vehicles come to market in 2010 and 2011. PSRC is working with stakeholders to leverage existing public and private projects to develop electric vehicle infrastructure implementation plans in each of the four central Puget Sound counties to transition the region in to a clean fuel economy. Vehicle electrification will help communities decrease pollution and reduce locally-set carbon emission reduction goals.
An important part of moving to a clean fuel economy with electric vehicles is providing an adequate number of charging stations to broaden consumer adoption and ease. PSRC will use funds provided to design a vehicle infrastructure implementation plan in each of the four central Puget Sound counties, helping the region move together to increase energy independence and decrease carbon emissions.
A significant amount of work is already beginning in the region related to electric vehicle infrastructure. The Puget Sound region’s employment base was 1.94 million in 2006 and is forecast to grow by an additional 1.1 million jobs by 2040. A region-wide electric vehicle implementation plan will help position the area to generate jobs and economic prosperity while meeting carbon emission reduction goals and reducing environmental impacts of our transportation system.
Interstate 5 West Coast Green Highway Electrification Demonstration Project
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: Washington State Department of Transportation 310 Maple Park Avenue SE Olympia, WA 98504
The amount of the request:
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: This project will help the region reduce pollution and our dependence on foreign oil, two national priorities, by increasing access to alternative domestic transportation fuels and new technologies. Public and private partnerships will be formed to deploy a strategic network of grid-enabled, flexible electric vehicle (EV) charge stations, to be installed by our state’s newly-trained, green-tech workers. Importantly, these stations will be located at critical locations along Interstate 5, providing a basic EV charging backbone connecting the EV-ready cities of Vancouver B.C., Seattle and Portland and allowing interregional and interstate travel. Once funded, Interstate 5 will become the nation’s first green highway corridor.
This project will provide 10 million consumers traveling throughout the I-5 corridor clean transportation choices and make emerging technologies available in the Pacific Northwest. The project will also serve as a magnet for automakers and green-technology industries that are looking to locate or expand their business opportunities in an EV-ready region, including Washington state.
Snohomish County PUD Geothermal Energy Study The proposed recipient Snohomish PUD #1 2320 California Street Everett, WA 98206
Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds Developing clean, renewable resources helps our country reduce dependence on foreign energy, creates jobs and helps to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Snohomish PUD believes that geothermal energy can be a renewable source of cost-competitive, locally-generated electricity in Washington State. The Geothermal Resources Council estimates that a 100 MW geothermal energy development would create 400 construction and 170 operations and maintenance family-wage jobs. It is anticipated that the proposed Snohomish PUD project would be generating 100 MW of geothermal power by 2020. These newly created green jobs would have a particularly strong impact as they would be situated in rural parts of Snohomish County. The amount of the request: $1,500,000
Puget Sound and Adjacent Waterways (PSAW) The proposed recipient Puget Sound Partnership 210 11th Ave SW Suite 401 Olympia, WA 98504
Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds Mounting evidence suggests that Puget Sound is an ecosystem in peril, with its nearshore habitats extremely threatened - over 70% of tidal marshes are diked; 800 miles, or over 33%, of shorelines are armored; 30,000 acres of commercial shellfish beds have been closed to harvest; and increasing human populations are adding demands on the Sound and nearshore. Funding to restore and recover Puget Sound is important to the State’s economy and industries relating to shipping, fishing & shellfish production, agriculture, outdoor recreation and tourism. Due to the Corps’ work on the Puget Sound Adjacent Waters program, many of these local projects are ‘shovel-ready’ and will create jobs immediately. All federal funding is matched, at minimum, by state and local entities. Essentially for each dollar that the federal government can commit to funding Puget Sound Adjacent Waters Restoration program, the recovery effort will see two dollars from local and state entities in the form of financial contributions, real estate donations, or in-kind additions to the projects. This creates maximum leverage for invested federal funding. The amount of the request: $3,000,000
WSU BioFuels/Algae Research The proposed recipient Washington State University French Ad., Rm 422 PO Box 641048 Pullman, WA 99164
Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds This project with enable research that aims to increase our nation’s energy security and reduce pollution, as well as create clean energy jobs, by producing clean and renewable transportation fuels in the United States. As a nation that consumes more oil than we produce, domestically produced transportation fuels will contribute to America’s economy and energy independence. Developing algae as a Bioenergy feedstock that is suitable for the climate of the Pacific Northwest, will help the Washington state economy and create local jobs. The amount of the request: $500,000
Columbia River at the Mouth, OR &WA The proposed recipient The US Army Corps of Engineers, Civil Works Program PO BOX 2946, CENPP-PM Portland, OR 97208
Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds The US Army Corps of Engineers maintains three rubble-mound jetties at the Mouth of the Columbia River. Frequent and large storms during the past few years have accelerated wave damage to the Jetties, thereby risking navigational safety. Outer sections of the Jetties have completely eroded away, other sections have been at risk of breaching, and receding beaches have exposed greater portions of the Jetties to wave damage. If either the North Jetty or the South Jetty breaches, sand would fill and restrict shipping in the Columbia River Federal Navigation Channel. Such a breach would essentially shut down commercial and recreational navigation at the mouth of the Columbia River and require very expensive emergency measures to repair the Jetty and restore the channel depth. Rehabilitating the Columbia River Jetties is fundamentally important in maintaining a vibrant inland navigational system, which supports the Pacific Northwest’s economy. This project will ensure continued vibrant commercial shipping operations as well as safe commercial and recreational navigation across the Columbia River Bar. Regionally, approximately $16 billion in imports and exports are shipped on the Columbia River each year (e.g. exported frozen potatoes, vegetables and paper products and imported footwear and apparel). The Columbia River is the single largest wheat and barley export gateway in the U.S. and the third largest gateway for grain (wheat, corn, soybeans, and barley) in the world. Exporters from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and the Midwest rely on the Columbia River for commerce. The amount of the request: $1,000,000
Howard Hanson Dam O&M The proposed recipient U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Seattle District 4735 East Marginal Way South Seattle, WA 98134 Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds This is a critical project to improve public safety and reduce risks to the local economy by lowering the risk of flooding at Howard Hanson Dam, until the full capability of the dam is restored. Because of damage to the adjacent abutment to the Howard Hanson Dam from winter storms, the safe pool capacity behind the dam has been greatly diminished, causing the flood protection to drop from 1 in 100 to 1 in 3. After a preliminary interim repair to the abutment, the flood protection was increased to 1 in 33; however, the possibility of a heavy rain event continues, threatening further strain on this temporary measure and requiring a greater release of water from the pool, which could in turn cause a flooding event downstream. This project will help the Seattle District implement temporary emergency repair measures to greatly improve the interim risk of flooding to 1 in 140 until the full capability of the dam is restored. Federal funding will extend the temporary grout curtain over the abutment and allow the dam to store higher levels of water for a short period of time until permanent repairs can be completed. The amount of the request: $3,000,000
Seattle Children's Hospital-Institute for Continuous improvement The proposed recipient Seattle Children’s Hospital 4800 Sand Point Way, NE Seattle, WA 98105 Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds Health care costs continue to rise and threaten our nation’s economic viability. In response to growing costs, Seattle Children’s sought to reform its internal practices to reduce waste, improve safety, decrease delays, and lower costs, through the adoption of initiatives based on the principles of continuous improvement. The result has been a 6% annual reduction in per patient costs, hospital-acquired and surgical site infection rates have dropped by 50%, a savings of $2.5 million in medical supplies, and $200 million in capital costs avoidance by not having to build additional patient rooms. Seattle Children’s’ results have saved patient lives, reduced medical spending for Washington families, and reduced environmental and energy waste through the avoidance of supplementary building. Seattle Children’s Hospital is seeking federal funding for the establishment of an Institute for Continuous Performance Improvement (CPI). The Institute would provide education and hands-on learning to external health care stakeholders on how to incorporate CPI principles into their clinical and operational settings. By training others in CPI, the cost savings realized by Seattle Children’s Hospital can be distributed to the national healthcare system – saving money for taxpayers and the health care system at large. The amount of the request: $2,500,000
UW Bothell Statewide Nursing Education Access Initiative The proposed recipient University of Washington - Bothell Campus 18115 Campus Way NE Bothell, WA 98011-8246
Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds There is currently a nursing shortage in the United States endangering patient outcomes and leaving crucial health care jobs unfilled. The Statewide Nursing Education Access Initiative aims to address the critical need for more nursing faculty to teach in our community and technical colleges, and increase our state-wide capacity to educate more new nurses through technology-enhanced education. The technology will help reach out to underserved populations across the state and increase the number of nurses prepared to enter the workforce in their community as a nurse and or nursing faculty. The amount of the request: $500,000
UW Tri-Campus Veterans Services The proposed recipient University of Washington Box 355880 Seattle, WA 98195
Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds The University of Washington has a long history of educating US veterans returning from military service. The campuses of the University of Washington are in a prime location for increased veteran enrollment with the existence of large military bases in Tacoma, Bremerton, Everett and Whidbey Island—all in close proximity. Student veterans face readjustment and psychological issues in the transition to civilian life and to enrollment in and completion of higher education. The Student Veterans Services project plans to focus on the wellness, mental health and academic success of the student veteran from a holistic perspective. With approximately 2 million veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the re-training and education of these veterans has a direct impact on the state’s and the nation’s economy. Additionally this request will create seven full time employee positions. The amount of the request: $500,000
Central Washington University Bachelor of Science for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology The proposed recipient Central Washington University 400 E. University Way Ellensburg, WA 98926
Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds The State of Washington has adopted a goal of creating 25,000 jobs in the clean energy sector by 2020. To meet this workforce demand, Central Washington University will expand one of the University’s current specialization programs to create the first Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (REST). CWU is requesting funds to develop curriculum and to purchase and install specialized equipment essential for the study of renewable energy and sustainable technology. Additionally, this project will immediately create fifty-three jobs. The amount of the request: $500,000
Protecting the Pacific Northwest Grape and Wine Industry from Plant Viruses
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: French Ad., Room 422 PO Box 641048
The amount of the request: $300,000
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: Washington’s 1 st Congressional District has a large and growing winery community centered in Woodinville. Washington is the 2 nd largest premium wine producer in the United States, employing 19,000 people and adding $3 billion to the state’s economy. The purpose of this program is to maintain a virus clean block of grape vines to be used as breeding stock for the wine industry in Washington. A virus-free, high quality grape stock will reduce the need for pesticides, help continue to build the Washington state wine brand internationally and expand the industry in our state, which will help create jobs and stimulate the local economy.
Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research
The proposed recipient and address of the recipient: Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research NW WA Research & Extension Center 16550 State Route 536 The amount of the request: Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: Washington is the leading producer of specialty crops in the nation producing some of the best tasting and nutritious foods, including apples, grapes, red raspberries and sweet cherries. The production value alone of the Pacific Northwest berry and grape crop production exceeds $500 million. The proposed small fruit research project builds upon the strengths of existing cooperative research programs aligned through the Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research. Strong emphasis is given to research supporting food safety, nutrition and health, environmental safety and climate change. Ensuring the health and viability of these regionally significant crops will have a direct benefit to the communities that support these commodities by maintaining jobs, producing healthy food, and helping growers across the state compete globally.
Developing Northwest Bioenergy crops (Aegilops cylindrica and other weedy crops) The proposed recipient: French Ad., Room 422 PO Box 641048 The amount of the request: Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds: Productive sources of biomass are needed in the West to create greater opportunities for bioenergy production and usage. Bioenergy can help reduce our dependence on foreign oil by providing home-grown energy sources, stimulate the economy by creating new jobs and investment in this growing field, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Aquatic Species Monitoring Project The proposed recipient : Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds The University of Washington, in conjunction with industry partners, will use federal funds to develop the scientific monitoring systems necessary to conduct baseline aquatic species assessment studies at potential U.S. Navy tidal energy development sites within the Puget Sound region, to enable the deployment of tidal energy generators at sites posing the least harm to aquatic species. Environmental monitoring will enable the deployment of this renewable energy technology, which is poised to help meet the national objectives of reducing dependence on fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gases, both national security priorities. The Secretary of the Navy has adopted a goal of achieving 50 percent of its energy demands through energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. This project could help achieve that goal. Amount of request : $1,500,000
Washington Aerospace Training & Research Center (WATR) The proposed recipient : Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds The Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center is critical for job creation and retention in Washington State’s aerospace industry. Located at Paine Field in Everett, WA, the Center coordinates aerospace and advanced manufacturing workforce training within Washington State through virtual and physical site locations and systems, improving aerospace and advanced manufacturing workforce training solutions for the entire State of Washington by acting as a one-stop solution. Federal funding would be used to develop new aerospace training modules to better train personnel on new materials and manufacturing methodologies, focusing on support for cost-effective and technologically advanced training of personnel in the aerospace defense industry in order to train the next generation of aerospace defense engineers and maintain U.S. aerospace superiority. The Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center will address these workforce needs in order to ensure the future of this industry in Washington State and support the tens of thousands of U.S. workers who depend on this highly competitive industry to provide family-wage jobs, ensuring that those jobs and salaries remain within the U.S. and are not outsourced. Amount of request: $1,000,000
Vaccine Stabilization Initiative The proposed recipient : Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds The Department of Defense is responsible for the health of three million personnel, who routinely live, work and require medical care while deployed in the world's most difficult environments. Funding will develop technology solutions critical to improving the health and safety of our troops through the creation of a needle-free, cost-effective and highly deployable influenza vaccine technology, for use in developing countries. The DoD's premier research agency, DARPA, has called upon PATH's resources and expertise to help develop this important technology to support the U.S. Military when deployed abroad. The use of PATH facilities, expertise and technologies by the DoD will help the US to more easily and cost-effectively care for its troops and save lives by providing inoculations in developing countries. Amount of request: $500,000
Next-Generation Leishmaniasis Drug Development The proposed recipient : Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds Leishmaniasis is a difficult to treat parasitic disease that poses a serious infectious threat to our troops and is endemic in current areas of military deployments: Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as several other “hotspots” of interest to the U.S., such as Pakistan. Funding will be used to research better treatment of Leishmaniasis and therefore improve the quality of life for troops infected with the parasite, and will reduce the overall treatment costs. The cutaneous form of the disease has been called “Baghdad Boil” by troops because of the painful, disfiguring skin lesions it causes. Treatments require several expensive weeks of therapy, but the infectious parasites are not all killed, so individuals remain infected for life, at additional cost to treat through the Department of Defense and the Veterans Affairs Administration. Leishmanisais can resurface years later if the individual’s immune system is compromised by other diseases such as HIV, treatments for cancer or autoimmune disease, or the natural human aging process. Amount of request: $1,000,000
National Tidal Energy Test Platform The proposed recipient : The University of Washington Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds Tidal energy is an emerging and promising renewable energy technology that will recover energy from currents associated with ocean tides. This renewable energy technology is poised to help meet the national objectives of reducing dependence on fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gases, both national security priorities. This project will help the US Navy meet its goal to produce 50% of the total power consumed from energy efficiency and renewable energy sources for its onshore facilities by 2020. The advancement and development of tidal energy in the US depends on the availability of a permitted, characterized site for testing and demonstration of tidal energy systems and devices. The establishment of a world-class test berth for tidal energy technology will accelerate research and development of this renewable resource. The construction of the National Tidal Energy Test Platform will accelerate the development of sustainable, renewable energy in the United States, and help the Department of Defense to meet its obligations to source a portion of its energy needs from renewable sources. Amount of request: $1,500,000
City of Mountlake Terrace Emergency Services Equipment Project The proposed recipient : Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds Federal funding will improve critical emergency response services and public safety at the Mountlake Terrace Police Department (MLTPD) is in South Snohomish County, between Everett and Seattle. This project will create enhanced regional emergency services communications that are truly interoperable to maximize the public safety benefits and save lives. With interoperable communications equipment, police departments and other first responders have the information and communications infrastructure in place to better meet the needs of their community at lower manpower requirements and cost. The MLTPD investments will help meet public safety needs required from a regional law enforcement agency. The city will also contribute funding come from the City of Mountlake Terrace’s general government revenue. Absent federal funds to assist with the purchase of this equipment, the City may have to reduce services to include personnel reductions to meet the budget obligation. Federal funding would avoid a harmful reduction in emergency services. Amount of request: $300,000
Automated Field Reporting Infrastructure Improvement Project The proposed recipient : Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds Federal funds will help to fully integrate data systems for County-wide emergency services, including more efficient delivery of services to the public, and inter-agency data sharing that ultimately protect public safety and save lives. In addition, improvements will increase officer safety and efficiency. Automated field reporting will provide more accurate, timely and complete critical information to field officers, and will meet national goals of interoperable data communications between emergency service providers, while improving emergency services and reducing manpower requirements and costs. Amount of request: $400,000 Preventing Armed Confrontations between Police Officers and the Public Washington The proposed recipient : Explanation of the request, including purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds Washington’s police agencies have suffered a historically unprecedented number of officer-involved shootings and officer fatalities over the last twelve months. The devastating series of tragic events has brought into focus the question of officer safety in a way that is seldom experienced. The study funded with this appropriation would entail documentation of all officer-involved shootings in the State of Washington which have occurred over the past five years, and will allow the assessment and examination of factors which contribute to such events, will add measurably to our knowledge of these events, and may present the possibility of ultimate success in saving officers’ lives. Washington State plans to use this research not only to protect officers locally, but will share it with the U.S. Department of Justice to protect officers nationwide. Amount of request: $355,000
|
 |
Site Map |  |