Energy Independence and Environmental Protection Prioritized in Energy & Water Appropriations Bill

Press Release

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) praised the fiscal year 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for its efforts to address critical issues that affect the nation's economic vitality, environment, and national security. The bill, which also includes $8.525 million for energy and water projects in Connecticut , was approved by the full Appropriations Committee. It will now be debated by the House, following passage there, the legislation will also need to be voted on by the Senate, approved by both chambers and signed by the President.

"Four months ago, a gallon of gas was $3.13, today it has jumped over 30 percent to over $4.00. With this Energy and Water Appropriations bill, we recognize the urgent need to move renewable and alternative energy technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace and we make the investments to meet that goal," said DeLauro. "This includes significant funding for research to develop technologies to allow cars to go farther on a single tank of gas; to increase energy efficiency; and to diversify our fuel supply through biofuels and other alternative energy sources. Ultimately these efforts will protect the environment by decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions."

The Energy and Water Appropriations Bill is funded at $33.3 billion - $1.3 billion over the President's budget request.

With higher energy prices, rising levels of energy imports, and growing concerns about climate change, DeLauro advocated for considerable investments in renewable and alternative energy technology. That is why she worked with her colleagues to ensure significant funding - $500 million - was provided to implement programs created in the Energy Independence and Security Act, which was signed into law last year. This includes:

- $25 million for Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Grants to retail and wholesale motor fuel dealers
for installation and storage of renewable fuel blends;

- $295 million for Energy Efficiency Block Grants, which will enable cities and counties to
undertake locally-based energy efficiency, conservation and production initiatives; and

- Sufficient funding to support $1 billion in direct loan obligational authority for the Advanced
Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program, which provides direct loans for
automakers and suppliers converting their facilities to manufacture new vehicles that are
more fuel efficient and less dependant on fossil fuels

DeLauro also continued to advocate for increased funding for other key programs:

- The Weatherization Assistance Program - $250 million, ignoring the President's request that
the program be eliminated - which reduces costs for low-income households by increasing
the energy efficiency of their homes.

- Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs - $2.52 billion, an increase of $1.26 billion above
the President's request. Historically, these programs have proven to be among the most
cost-effective in the federal energy portfolio and yield significant environmental, economic,
national security, and public health benefits.

- The Department of Energy's Office of Science - $4.861 billion, an increase of $140 million
from the budget request - to develop the knowledge and the technologies essential to
ensuring the nation's future energy security, as well as ensure the U.S. retains its dominance
in such key scientific fields as biotechnology, nanotechnology, materials science, and
supercomputing well into the next century.

Additionally, as with the previous year, the bill provides no funding for nuclear weapons by refusing to fund the Reliable Replacement Warhead.

The FY'09 Energy and Water Bill includes funding for the following initiatives in the 3rd Congressional District:

- Long Island Sound Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP), $4.275 million: for the
development of a comprehensive DMMP for Long Island Sound that is being done in
cooperation with New York and the Army Corps of Engineers. Dredging and appropriate
management of dredged sediment is vital to the economic and environmental well being of
both New York and Connecticut . The DMMP is a cooperative state and federal effort to
maintain safe, environmentally sound alternatives and establish future protocols for dredge
material management.

- Connecticut River Watershed Study, $450,000: through the Army Corps of Engineers for a
study of the operation of the Corps' fourteen dams in the Connecticut River Basin to
determine if it is possible to manage these dams for environmental benefits, while
maintaining important human uses.

- High Performance, Low Cost Hydrogen Generation from Renewable Energy, $1 million: for
research into hydrogen produced from renewable energy resources. As an alternative to
steam methane reformation and coal gasification, hydrogen generated from renewables has
the potential to be cost competitive, while promising reduced emissions of greenhouse gases.

- Industrial Waste to Clean Fuel $2.8 million: for a Cellulosic Ethanol Pilot Program to turn
industrial waste and forestry products into clean transportation fuels at an existing industrial
facility in Springfield , (Indian Orchard) Massachusetts and at a facility to be built in Montville
, CT.

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