Infrastructure investments are one of the few areas where federal spending is guaranteed to yield near-term economic gains and create jobs
- By Linton Levy -
U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) has secured vital support for Ohio energy and water projects in the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Conference Report, which passed the Senate by a vote of 80 to 17. Sen. Voinovich was a member of the conference committee and worked hard to ensure the final bill provides funding for the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy and a number of independent agencies including the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
“Infrastructure investments are one of the few areas where federal spending is guaranteed to yield near-term economic gains and create jobs,” Sen. Voinovich said. “That is why it is of the utmost importance that Ohio has full funding for its water infrastructure projects. I am so pleased that we were able to pass this important piece of legislation to ensure that Ohio is able to protect the environment while fulfilling its research and development needs.”
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, Sen. Voinovich also worked with his colleagues to include provisions in the final bill that will help shape and advance sound nuclear energy policy in the United States.
“The nuclear provisions I included in this bill will be critical in continuing the forward momentum we’re achieving in all areas of the nuclear renaissance,” Sen. Voinovich continued. “The resurgence of nuclear energy will afford a huge opportunity for the expansion of Ohio’s manufacturing sector, the creation of thousands of good paying jobs, and reliable emissions-free base load generation. Nuclear must be a part of the solution to climate change and we can start that nuclear renaissance here in Ohio.”
The conference report will next move to the White House to be signed by the president. Several projects were included in the bill that will benefit Ohio companies, institutions and communities:
Nuclear Renaissance
Edison Welding Institute Nuclear Fabrication Consortium (Columbus)
Secured: $2,000,000
The funding will be used for fabrication process and equipment development; material evaluation and testing; standards development; supply chain development; fabrication data management technology development; and sponsoring education in nuclear fabrication technologies. This project will allow the U.S. nuclear industry to meet its unique design, material and performance requirements by developing new construction and manufacturing technologies.
In addition, Sen. Voinovich introduced an amendment which was adopted by a voice vote that allows the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to acquire additional permanent office space near the existing NRC headquarters location in Rockville, Maryland. Providing NRC with adequate, co-located headquarters office space will ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness for the agency. Sen. Voinovich, having served as either Chair or Ranking Member on the Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee for the past eight years, helped NRC hire more than 1,000 new workers in the last four years as the agency was faced with the monumental task of reviewing 17 applications for construction and operation of 26 new nuclear reactors.
Central
The Ohio State University National Center of Excellence in Energy Storage Technology (Columbus)
Secured: $1,000,000
The funding will be used to expand existing battery characterization facilities at OSU’s Center for Automotive Research and to develop a pilot facility for battery manufacturing and assembly processes. The goal of this program is to establish a national Center of Excellence in Energy Storage Technology and development with focus on both mobile and stationary applications.
Northeast
Case Western Reserve University’s Great Lakes Institute for Energy Innovation (Cleveland)
Secured: $1,000,000
The funding will be used for research equipment and infrastructure to support areas of research such as: fabrication, prototyping and nano-materials processing for advanced storage, fuel cell and solar devices; and power management and control on smart grid systems for renewable applications.
Cleveland Harbor Dredging (Cleveland)
Secured: $7,460,000
The funding will be used for dredging of the Cleveland Harbor. The Cleveland Harbor generates approximately $151,000,000 annually in direct revenue and supports over 2,495 jobs. The current sediment backlog at the harbor is estimated to be 1,549,000 cubic yards. Because of the backlog in sediment removal, “lightloading” (carrying a less-than-full cargo) has been necessary. Failure to dredge the harbor will reduce the channel dimensions, resulting in loss of jobs, negatively impacting the local and regional economies and increasing transportation costs between $2,034,000 and $5,139,000 annually.
Ashtabula Harbor Dredging (Ashtabula)
Secured: $1,267,000
The funding will be used for dredging of the Ashtabula Harbor. Ashtabula Harbor generates approximately $126,000,000 annually in direct revenue and supports over 1,601 jobs. Failure to dredge the harbor will reduce the channel dimensions, resulting in loss of jobs, negatively impacting the local and regional economies, and increasing transportation costs between $207,000 and $1,131,000 annually.
National Polymer Innovation Center (Akron)
Secured: $1,000,000
The funding will be used to purchase equipment, and construction and renovation of laboratories needed to establish a National Polymer Innovation Center (NPIC) at the University of Akron. The Center would facilitate the commercialization of new technologies in emerging areas of soft matter science and engineering. This is vital to economic development in Ohio, in which both established and emerging polymer industries see a key role for collaboration with the university.
Northwest
Toledo Harbor Dredging (Toledo)
Secured: $5,253,000
The funding will be used for dredging of the Toledo Harbor. Failure to dredge the harbor will reduce the channel dimensions resulting in loss of jobs, negatively impacting the local and regional economies, and increasing transportation costs between $381,000 and $1,541,000 annually. The harbor supports 500 local jobs and 50,000 regional jobs.
City of Findlay Flood Control (Findlay)
Secured: Language
Language is included in the bill directing the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the feasibility study of flood risk management plans for the Blanchard River in Findlay, Ohio and begin the design and implementation of flood risk management plans. This project will not only protect the watershed and residents along the Blanchard River, but also help maintain and spur investment in the area.
Village of Ottawa Flood Control (Ottawa)
Secured: Language
Language is included in the bill directing the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the feasibility study of flood risk management plans for the Blanchard River at the Village of Ottawa, and to begin the design and implementation of the flood risk management plans.
Western Lake Erie Basin Study (Maumee, Ottawa and Portage River Watersheds)
Secured: $134,000
This study is a comprehensive investigation of measures to improve fish and wildlife habitat, navigation, flood damage reduction, recreation and water quality in the Maumee, Ottawa and Portage River watersheds. The study will provide a framework for sustainable development in the watershed by examining comprehensive ecosystem restoration, including: habitat and wetland restoration; prevention of future environmental losses; elimination of bacterial loadings and pollutants of concern; improvements to navigation channels; and analysis of flood control operations to ensure that they are meeting evolving conditions.
Vermilion Harbor Dredging (Vermilion)
Secured: Language
Language is included in the bill directing the Army Corps of Engineers to perform maintenance dredging in Vermilion Harbor to restore channel dimensions and provide safe navigation. Failure to dredge the harbor will lead to continued shoaling and reduced channel dimensions, resulting in unsafe navigation conditions.
Village of Polk Wastewater Collection and Treatment System (Polk)
Secured: $200,000
The project is required by Ohio EPA to address a large number of failing household septic systems in the village of Polk. The village’s median household income has dropped significantly since the last census, and is now only $35,000. The population is 60 percent Low-to-Moderate-Income (LMI).
Southeast
Marietta Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements (Marietta)
Secured: $250,000
The city of Marietta is initiating a project to upgrade and expand its wastewater treatment plant, which has been providing service to the city since 1955. The project will enhance the sewer treatment capacity for future industrial, commercial and residential connections and provide service to areas currently not sewered.
Coalton Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements (Coalton)
Secured: $250,000
The village of Coalton waterline replacement project involves the replacement of waterlines which are outdated and beyond their useful life. The village constantly experiences waterline breaks due to the age and condition of these old waterlines.
Hocking River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project (Athens, Perry and Hocking Counties)
Secured: $56,000
This project will implement environmental restoration to the area including stream restoration, wetland creation and wildlife habitat restoration involving both active and passive treatment of acid mine drainage. Severe acid mine drainage has degraded the watershed, and a number of stream reaches are sterile and unable to support aquatic life.
Appalachian Regional Commission
Secured: $76,000,000
The funding will help the ARC more aggressively address the region's infrastructure deficiencies and the continuing human capital and leadership deficits, which contribute to poverty and unemployment across the Appalachian region.
Southwest
Holes Creek Local Flood Protection Project (West Carrollton, Moraine, and Miami Township)
Secured: $1,005,000
The Holes Creek Local Flood Protection Project protects more than 600 properties in West Carrollton, Moraine and Miami Township from flooding. Funding will be used to construct a levee and floodwall to protect commercial and industrial properties.
Cincinnati Riverfront Project (Cincinnati)
Secured: $2,374,000
The Cincinnati Riverfront Project will provide bank stabilization and assist in flood control efforts along the Ohio River in Cincinnati, and it will result in a major new park. It will link the Central Riverfront attractions to downtown Cincinnati and other riverfront parks including Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park, the Public Landing and Bicentennial Commons, achieving nearly three miles of continuous riverfront park and recreation space. Requested funds will be used to award the first construction contract and to continue plans and specs on remaining work.
Great Lakes
Asian Carp
The senator introduced an amendment, which passed the conference committee, to give the Army Corps of Engineers authority to prevent the Asian carp--an invasive species – from bypassing the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal dispersal barrier and invading the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Fishery & Ecosystem Restoration Program
Secured: $2,471,000
This program enables the Army Corps of Engineers to utilize its planning, design and construction expertise for projects to protect and restore the Great Lakes fishery and ecosystem. The Great Lakes sustain a nationally and internationally significant fishery which has been degraded by habitat losses, contamination and invasive species. Under this program, the Army Corps will coordinate with federal, state and local agencies and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to plan, implement and evaluate projects supporting the restoration of the fishery, ecosystem, and beneficial uses of the Great Lakes.
Technical Assistance to Remedial Action Plans (RAP) Committees
Secured: $3,407,000
Funding would be used to continue planning towards the remediation and full clean-up of Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes, ultimately improving ecosystems and quality of life in the Great Lakes basin.