FY2015 budget update

 

As previously reported, President Obama released his FY2015 budget request this week. In addition to the Corps funding levels PNWA listed on Tuesday, we also wanted to note the following updates.

 

Surface Transportation

 

MAP-21, the surface transportation bill, expires October 1, 2014. The Senate Environment & Public Works Committee and House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will be focused on a new funding and authorization bill this year. The President's FY2015 budget kicked off the conversation, with a $302B four-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal.

 

Part of the Administration's surface transportation proposal is targeted to freight infrastructure. The Administration proposes $10 billion over 4 years for a new multimodal freight grant program--including rail, highways and ports--for projects that address the greatest needs for the efficient movement of goods across the country. The proposal includes incentives to encourage coordinated investment in freight infrastructure and gives shippers, truck and rail industry representatives and associated labor organizations a role in crafting investment decisions in partnership with state and local officials.

 

For FY2015, the Administration proposes $1B for a new program providing a dedicated source of funding to improve the delivery of freight projects.  The program will incentivize regional planning by providing funding for multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional and corridor-based projects, and by requiring the development of statewide freight plans with regional planning participation. Additionally, the Administration proposes a new "Fixing and Accelerating Surface Transportation" (FAST) program for the coming year, with $500 million for a competitive grant program for pressing transportation challenges.

 

DERA

 

The Administration zeroed out funding for EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) in their FY2015 budget. DERA was originally authorized in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, to help modernize diesel engines in advance of the more stringent emissions standards implemented by EPA beginning in 2007. The program continues to be a vital tool for ports and other stakeholders in reducing emissions. Congress included $20M for DERA in the FY2014 omnibus, which was considered a big win since EPA's overall budget was significantly decreased. In the coming year, PNWA will work with our partners to advocate for continued robust funding for DERA in a final FY2015 Appropriations bill.

 

Port Security Grants

 

President Obama's budget also aims to eliminate the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) by consolidating all state/local preparedness grants into one National Preparedness Grant Program (NPGP). The NPGP would delegate all management of the grants to States and would require that seaport programs compete with local and state programs. This effort has been blocked by Congress in previous years. PNWA continues to support a separate PSGP with management at the federal level, and we will be advocating for funding for the program in a final bill.

 

PNWA will continue to provide updates as we read through the bill and additional information is available.