An energy and water appropriations bill approved by the Senate on Thursday includes key provisions led by U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rob Portman (R-OH) and John Hoeven (R-ND).
The 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations bill is a $37.5 billion package and is the first appropriations bill to pass the Senate for fiscal year 2017. The bill would provide $6 billion to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – approximately $1.4 billion more than requested. It also includes $30 million for development of commercially viable carbon capture and sequestration technology.
Capito, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, inserted a number of key provisions in the bill for West Virginia.
A portion of $632 million allocated for fossil energy research and development will be used for the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Lab in Morgantown, West Virginia, and $151 million was allocated for the Appalachian Regional Commission’s efforts to expand broadband in rural areas.
“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am proud that we were able to get this bill across the finish line and secure funding for key West Virginia priorities like fossil energy research, infrastructure maintenance and rural broadband expansion,” Capito said. “The overwhelmingly bipartisan passage of this bill proves that the Senate is doing its job and delivering results for the American people.”
Ernst cosponsored an amendment to the appropriations bill that would cut $200 million in “duplicative, wasteful programs.”
“I also co-sponsored an amendment that would have scrapped the expanded definition of the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule,” Ernst said. “This burdensome rule breeds uncertainty and confusion, while adding more red tape that threatens the livelihoods of many in Iowa and across the country. While I am disappointed my amendments were not adopted, this legislation includes critical provisions for our nuclear security programs, including weapons activities, naval reactors, and defense nuclear nonproliferation.”
A provision inserted into the bill by Portman would prevent the Army Corps of Engineers from depositing dredged materials from the Cleveland Harbor Project into Lake Erie without approval from the Ohio EPA.
“The Cleveland Harbor project is vital to all of Ohio and we must ensure that the dredged material is not inappropriately disposed of by dumping it in Lake Erie without approval by the Ohio EPA,” Portman said. “I will continue use every tool available to make sure both the city of Cleveland’s water supply and Lake Erie’s ecosystem is protected.”
Another provision inserted into the bill by Portman would fund cleanup for the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant to maintain employment levels for the decontamination and decommissioning of the plant.
“I’m committed to ensuring there are adequate resources for the cleanup work at Portsmouth, and I’m pleased the Senate passed this funding (on Thursday),” Portman said. “The cleanup project in Portsmouth is an important component of economic development in Southern Ohio. I will continue to monitor the Administration’s barter of uranium to ensure full funding is delivered for cleanup at Portsmouth, but the Senate’s action today is a positive step forward. I will continue to urge the Obama Administration and Secretary Moniz to keep their promises to the Piketon community.”
Hoeven, meanwhile, worked to include provisions that impact North Dakota into the bill, including funding for permanent flood control projects and updating nuclear forces, as well as energy and technology research and development.
“The passage of the Energy and Water funding bill is a bipartisan accomplishment and stands as another example of the majority’s efforts to bring the Senate back to regular order,” Hoeven said. “We worked to ensure this bill supports local efforts in North Dakota to protect our communities from flooding, including in the Minot region and the Red River Valley; keep our nation safe by maintaining a strong nuclear deterrent; and support our nation’s energy security by developing innovative and commercially viable technologies to improve environmental stewardship.”