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Conference Committee approves FY2010 energy & water appropriations bill
Five PNWA-supported projects received funding increases in the conferenced FY2010 energy & water development appropriations bill passed today by the House, 308-114. A conference committee met earlier this week to resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. We reported on the details of these two bills in Nor'westers 338 and 339. The conferees included Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-MT at large). Once the Senate passes the bill, it will head to the President's desk for his signature and enactment into law.
The conference report (111-278) includes increases for several Northwest navigation projects supported by PNWA's membership:
- Elliott Bay Seawall, WA study - Zero in Administration budget, $462,000 in conference report (supported by Sens. Murray and Cantwell and Reps. Dicks, Larsen and McDermott)
- Humboldt Bay Long-Term Shoal Management feasibility study - Zero in Administration budget, $90,000 in conference report
- Coos Bay O&M - $4,591,000 in budget, $4,904,000 in conference report (supported by Rep. DeFazio)
- Columbia River at Baker Bay (Port of Ilwaco) O&M - $86,000 in budget, $674,000 in conference report (supported by Sens. Murray and Cantwell)
- Columbia River b/t Chinook & Sand Island (Port of Chinook) O&M - $7,000 in budget, $771,000 in conference report (supported by Sen. Murray)
Most other PNWA-supported projects received the amount suggested in the Administration budget, or received a very slim reduction. The conference agreement provided $2.4B nationwide for O&M, which was a reduction from the House level of $2.511B as well as the Senate level of $2.45B.
Despite the relatively modest gains for Northwest navigation projects in this bill, it should be remembered that PNWA projects received a tremendous amount of funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Significant examples include the Columbia River channel deepening, John Day Lock, Lower Monumental Lock and the jetty at Garibaldi. Not only were many current-year navigation needs met through ARRA, but several major maintenance projects were enabled. For more information on PNWA's FY2010 appropriations final snapshot as well as information on ARRA funding, visit our website.
Currently, a one-month continuing resolution (CR) is temporarily funding the federal government, now that the new fiscal year has begun (10/1/09). Most agencies will receive funding in the CR at their FY2009 levels. It is important for the Senate to finish work on this appropriations bill so that the Corps of Engineers can receive FY2010 level funding as soon as possible.
PNWA would like to thank the entire Northwest Congressional delegation for their support throughout the year for navigation projects in our region. We are particularly grateful to Senator Patty Murray for her continued leadership on these issues on the Senate Energy & Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
PNWA Staff Contact: Kristin Meira |
