Congresswoman Luria Votes to Secure Vital Energy and Infrastructure Priorities in Government Spending Bill

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Luria highlighted several critical energy and water wins for Coastal Virginia that were included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and Emergency Coronavirus Relief package, which the President recently signed into law.

"I am pleased that the Fiscal Year 2021 government funding bill included significant funding to support clean energy, improve our waterways, and invest in environmental cleanup efforts," said Congresswoman Luria. "This package will create jobs, improve Coastal Virginia's infrastructure, and allow our economy and environment to thrive for future generations."

This bipartisan, bicameral deal provides robust funding for critical energy and water development priorities advocated for by Congresswoman Luria, including:

Provisions from the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act, which authorizes an advanced reactor technology program and establishes a nuclear energy university program;
$1.5 billion to improve our nuclear reactor fleet, including $250 million for an advanced nuclear reactor program;
$156 million to support efforts to secure our nation's energy infrastructure through investments in cybersecurity protections and energy resiliency;
$7.8 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers construction projects and navigation maintenance; and,
$113 million for the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, which funds construction and maintenance expenses for navigable waterways.
The legislation also directs the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct ecosystem restoration projects and flood and storm damage reduction projects. Additionally, it directs the Department of Energy to optimize Nuclear Physics user facilities, which includes the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) in Newport News, Virginia. Directing the Department of Energy to optimize user facilities will ensure investment in JLab's research and scientific discoveries.

Congresswoman Elaine Luria represents Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she is the Vice Chair of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where she serves as Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.

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