NOR'WESTER NEWSLETTER ISSUE #427                                          Visit us on Facebook! Facebookmasthead

June 25, 2012
In This Issue:
BPA Administrator Steve Wright announces retirement
TIGER grants announced; three awarded in Northwest, including Port of Lewiston
PNWA Summer Conference begins Wednesday, June 27

BPA Administrator Steve Wright announces retirement

 

On June 19,Bonneville Power Administration Administrator and CEO Steve Wright announced that he will retire at the end of January 2013. Steve has led the agency since November 2000, first as the acting Administrator before being selected as the permanent Administrator in February 2002. He is the second longest serving BPA Administrator, working his way up from an entry level position at the agency in 1981.

 

PNWA has enjoyed a great working relationship with Steve and BPA for many years, addressing energy policy, hydropower projects, and the FCRPS BiOp lawsuit. Steve's open communication and accessibility with navigation and energy stakeholders has been a great asset. He has joined us many times at PNWA conferences and events, and has gone out of his way to reach out to us when our interests converge.

 

PNWA members will have a chance to see Steve prior to his retirement, as he will be presenting at the PNWA Annual Meeting, which will take place October 9-11 at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. We look forward to working with Steve as he finishes his tenure with BPA and we wish him the best of luck with his retirement.      

 

  

TIGER grants announced; three awarded in Northwest, including Port of Lewiston

 

Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that 47 transportation projects nationwide will receive nearly $500 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's 2012 TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) program. TIGER is a highly competitive program that funds innovative projects that may not fit into other federal programs. These federal funds are being leveraged with money from private sector partners, states, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations and transit agencies.

 

In the Northwest, three projects will receive funding:

 

Port of Lewiston Dock Extension - $1,300,000

Mercer Corridor West Reconstruction (Seattle) - $14,000,000

North Spokane Corridor Railroad Realignment (Spokane) - $10,000,000

 

The Port of Lewiston reports that their grant will be used to extend the Port marine dock by 150-linear feet and will greatly improve the efficiency, production and safety of intermodal operations. The project is scheduled to begin construction July 1, 2013, and be completed by September 30, 2013 with an estimated construction cost of $2.9 million.

 

TIGER has enjoyed overwhelming demand since its creation, a trend continued by TIGER 2012. Applications for this most recent round of grants totaled $10.2 billion, far exceeding the $500 million set aside for the program. Like the first three rounds, TIGER 2012 grants are for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure and are awarded on a competitive basis. This is the fourth round of TIGER funding. The four rounds of the TIGER program have provided $3.1 billion to 218 projects.

 

The FY2013 appropriations bill currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate provides $500 million for a future round of TIGER grants. PNWA's membership strongly supports the TIGER program, and will continue to advocate for continuation of this important transportation funding program.

 

 

PNWA Summer Conference begins Wednesday, June 27

 

The PNWA Summer Conference is just around the corner, beginning this Wednesday June 27 at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Seattle, WA. The agenda for our event is now finalized and can be accessed on our website. Highlights include:

  • USACE Seattle District: Priorities for 2012
  • Emissions Control Area Regulations - New Standards, New Challenges
  • Campaign 2012: The Political Outlook for the Presidential and NW Delegation Elections
  • Dredge Material Management Program - USACE Update and Innovative Disposal Solutions
  • Global Coal Perspective: What is Driving Recent Market Developments?
  • Bathymetric Survey Case Study - Port of Tacoma, NOAA & USACE
  • Washington Board of Maritime Pilots: Challenges of Ensuring Safe, Reliable Service While Ensuring Gateways Remain Cost Competitive
  • Ocean Carriers: Market Conditions, Carrier Logistics and Changing Industry Dynamics
  • Exports Through Puget Sound Ports - Stimulating Our PNW Economy
  • Lower Columbia River Pile Dike Study
  • Institute of Water Resources Report - Port and Inland Waterways Modernization Strategy: Options for the Future

We look forward to seeing you in Seattle!