In This Week's Edition of E-News…

Rep. Murphy Challenges Air Force Over 911th Analysis

Region’s Crumbling Locks and Dams Pose Challenge For Federal Gov’t

Rep. Murphy Challenges Air Force Over 911th Analysis

Murphy at Moon Twp. forum on efforts to save the 911th

Following two months of determined work by Congressman Tim Murphy that included a series of high-level meetings, rallies, legislation, and letters to the Administration, the Air Force turned over documentation this week to the Congressman about plans to close down the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township.

The two-page report, which can be found here, raised major concerns about the scope and thoroughness of the Air Force’s analysis, said Rep. Murphy. The report failed to include a comparison of the 911th against bases with similar missions, didn’t account for recent improvements at the base, and didn’t consider the cost savings at the 911th because it shares resources and conducts joint training exercises with other nearby installations.

“After nearly $60 million in upgrades, the 911th Airlift Wing is practically a brand new installation. The Air Force analysis didn’t account for recent investments, impact on recruitment, or potential alternatives,” said Congressman Murphy.

Murphy said the weak analysis — and factual errors from the Air Force — underscored the importance of having Congress vet the decision.

“This report clearly demonstrates that easiest decision was made, rather than the most economical one,” said Rep. Murphy. “But a decision of this magnitude demands a sound and transparent analysis driven by the facts and data and we have yet to see that.”

The Air Force’s projected savings hinge on the fact that the oldest — and costliest to maintain — C-130 aircraft are stationed at the 911th. By retiring the oldest planes, the Air Force projects savings even though the 911th has a lower cost-per-flying hour than similar installations. The 911th supports the oldest 1976 C-130 models because in 2007, the Pentagon took the new aircraft and gave it to active duty forces.

Rep. Murphy unveiled the latest Pentagon report at a community forum at the Moon Area High School. The forum gave community members and 911th servicemen and women the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from Rep. Murphy what steps he’s taking to prevent Southwestern Pennsylvania from losing its military capabilities. That same evening, the Moon Area School Board approved a resolution expressing support for Mr. Murphy’s efforts to save the 911th.

Murphy said next week he would be sending follow up questions to the Air Force about its analysis and continuing to press for a transparent and open decision-making process. Said Murphy, “The Air Force is making a misguided, mistaken, and misinformed decision, and I’ll continue to use every imaginable avenue to communicate that message back to the White House and preserve our region’s military capabilities.”

In late breaking news, on Friday afternoon Congressman Murphy was informed that First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden would be visiting the 911th and 171st Air National Guard station this Tuesday as part of the “Joining Forces” tour to promote efforts by ordinary citizens to thank and support members of the Armed Forces.

Murphy released a statement saying he hoped the First Lady and Dr. Biden would take advantage of the stop on their publicity tour to learn how valuable and crucial the 911th and 171st are to the nation’s defense.

“This is a perfect opportunity for the First Lady and Dr. Biden to thank members of Pittsburgh’s Armed Forces as we work to save the 911th and 171st. I join them in thanks, but we also aim to show them firsthand the impact this poorly-analyzed decision would have on our community. I ask they take the time, apart from the publicity tour for the ‘Joining Forces’ initiative, to learn how important these bases are not just to our military families, but to the greater strategic framework of our nation's defenses."

To share your thoughts on the First Lady's visit to the 911th and 171st on her national tour, please click here.

Region’s Crumbling Locks and Dams Pose Challenge For Federal Gov’t

Rep. Murphy discusses the need to rebuild America's crumbling waterways infrastructure

More than 33 million tons of material, including coal and petroleum, move through the 23 locks and dams along the Pittsburgh waterways every year. But commerce on the riverways, and the thousands of jobs in Southwestern Pennsylvania dependent upon it, are threatened by the dilapidated condition of the locks and dams.

The Army Corp of Engineers reports the condition of inland locks and dams in the United States is “a crisis headed for catastrophe.” According to the Army Corps, more 40 percent of the locks in Southwestern Pennsylvania are over 70 years old and several are barely functioning after more than a century of use.

The challenges facing the country’s inland waterway system has reached a tipping point, said Congressman Tim Murphy, who organized a roundtable on Thursday with local stakeholders to discuss the urgent need to upgrade America’s aging and crumbling waterways infrastructure. Local employees and leaders from business sectors in steel, utilities, mining, and transportation were in attendance to explain how any breakdown in the system on the Monongahela River would impact to region’s economy.

“If action is not taken, thousands of jobs could be lost, local businesses will be forced to close their doors, energy prices would increase and millions in taxpayer money sunk into the riverways would be lost,” said Congressman Murphy.

By way of example, a barge maker on the Lower Mon manufactures nearly 200 barges a year. The company is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion project that will create 60 new high-paying manufacturing jobs. However, a single lock failure could threaten the project and shut down the firm. Other jobs would potentially be threatened in steel, energy, mining, and chemicals.

Numerous participants on Thursday pointed to a failure at Lock 3 in Elizabeth as their greatest fear. Lock 3 was completed in 1907 and the Army Corps of Engineers reports significant structural, mechanical and hydraulic problems with century old locks. While the Elizabeth dam is scheduled to be torn down, more than $7.5 million has been dedicated to propping it up because funding isn’t being allocated to complete the entire Lower Mon project.  

Discussed at the roundtable was legislation to increase contributions from industry, such as a higher user fee/diesel tax on tugboats, in order to finance lock and dam reconstruction. Legislation would also eliminate bureaucratic barriers standing in the way of completing the Lower Mon project.

It’s become more difficult for the House and Senate to direct funding for specific projects like the Lower Mon because of a ban on congressionally-directed spending. This has left decisions on financing locks and dams reconstruction to the White House.

“The states simply don’t have the resources to coordinate national infrastructure projects like the system of locks and dams on the nation’s waterways. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to fix and repair this infrastructure before it is too late,” said Murphy.

Congressman Murphy updated the group on his legislation to help finance locks and dams reconstruction — the Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act (HR 1861). This bill would safely expand offshore energy exploration, generating $2.2 to $3.7 trillion in new federal revenues and $8 trillion in economic output. Introduced with strong bipartisan support, this legislation would invest billions of dollars in our decaying locks, dams, roads, bridges, sewer systems, and transportation network.

With HR 1861 new jobs would be created in everything from energy exploration to greater production of the steel used to rebuild our highways. Furthermore the Murphy bill does not raise taxes, buy oil from OPEC, or borrow money from China.

To share your views on the role of Congress in directing money for locks and dams projects, please click here.