WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that he secured more than $2 million in federal dollars in the Senate’s Interior and Environment Appropriations bill for Missouri projects that will fund new technologies and aid Missouri communities in meeting clean water obligations.

 

“Local and community leaders in Missouri asked me to help send some of their tax dollars back home for local priorities,” said Bond.  “These funds will make critical investments in clean energy technology and help Missouri communities meet their clean water obligation.”

 

Unfortunately, the Democratic Majority blocked all climate change amendments to the bill, like the Senator’s amendments to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from unilaterally imposing new carbon dioxide regulations on American businesses, farmers and families.  Bond, who spoke on the Senate floor today about the importance of protecting farmers, families, and workers, introduced amendments to prevent the EPA from imposing regulations without congressional approval if their actions would increase fertilizer and farming fuel costs or will result in significant job loss in manufacturing and coal-dependent regions of the country including Missouri and the Midwest. Such provisions are necessary as proposed cap-and-trade legislation is stalled in the Senate and the Administration begins to look for backdoor ways to impose these job-killing regulations.

 

A senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Bond secured the more than $2 million in federal funds in the fiscal year 2010 Interior and Environment spending bill, which passed the full Senate today.  Before being signed into the law the bill must be reconciled with the version passed by the House of Representatives.

 

            Bond secured funds for the following Missouri projects that:

·         $300,000 for the Center for Development of Woody Biomass at the Missouri Forest Foundation in Jefferson City.  The funds will help scientists at the center research and develop woody biomass as a renewable energy.  The center will take advantage of the neighboring Missouri University of Science and Technology and Mark Twain National Forest to test and demonstrate biomass harvesting and processing techniques that improve the ecosystem health of forests, reduce fire risks, curb disease and insect infestation.  The research will help develop woody biomass as a self-sustaining source of renewable energy and economic development for the region.  This project will create jobs, facilitate economic development and employment opportunities in the region and improve the health of the region’s forest resources.

 

·         $1,500,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements in the City of Lee’s Summit. The funds will improve the city’s wastewater infrastructure which will help spur economic development on land adjacent to Interstate 470 between the View High and Pryor Road interchanges.  This project is a local top priority and these much needed infrastructure improvements will attract high-skilled and high-paying jobs to the area.

 

·         $300,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements in the City of New Haven. The funds will provide wastewater infrastructure improvements including consolidation and replacement of wastewater pump stations nearing the end of their useful life.  This project will create jobs and ensure continued water services to residences and places of employment.

 

            Bond also secured language making the following technical corrections to previously secured funds:

·         $1,300,000 for a drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in the City of Warrensburg. These funds, originally made available to the City of Warrensburg in the fiscal year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill, will now be directed to Johnson County for the same project.

 

·         $1,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements in the City of Gravois Mills. These funds, originally made available to the City of Gravois Mills in the fiscal year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill, will now be directed to the Gravois Arm Sewer District for the same project.

·         $500,000 for wastewater infrastructure expansion in McDonald County. These funds, originally made available to McDonald County in the fiscal year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill, will now be directed to Public Water Supply District #1 of McDonald County for the same project.

·         $150,000 for drinking water source protection infrastructure in the City of Hayti. These funds, originally made available to the City of Hayti in the fiscal year 2008 omnibus appropriations bill, will now be directed to Public Water Supply District #1 for the same project.

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