Washington DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced key provisions in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill that will help Oregon communities. The bill was voted out of committee today.
“Fighting for Oregon’s priorities is my top responsibility as a member of the Appropriations Committee, and this bill contains provisions that will help communities in every corner of Oregon,” Merkley said. “From fighting fiercely to ensuring the Bonneville Power Administration could never be sold, to dredging for our coastal communities, to fulfilling a promise to Columbia River Tribal members who have been living in unsafe conditions, this bill delivers for Oregon.”
Merkley es el único miembro del Congreso de Oregón de cualquier cámara desde el Senador Mark Hatfield que forma parte del Comité de Apropiaciones, considerado uno de los más poderosos del Capitolio. Se unió al comité en 2013 para que Oregón tuviera una voz fuerte en las decisiones sobre las inversiones que nuestra nación debería hacer.
Los elementos clave de la legislación que afectará a Oregón incluyen:
Bonneville Power Administration: Merkley successfully fought for strong language barring the transfer or sale of power marketing assets, including the Bonneville Power Administration, noting that the transfer would violate federal law. The language highlights that such a transfer could increase costs for millions of consumers, decrease grid reliability, and reduce services to rural communities.
Port Funding: The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund received $1.34 billion, including $51 million for small ports; $287 million for deep-draft harbors; $13.5 million for inland ports; and $23 million for navigation maintenance. These funds are used to help pay for dredging costs and to keep critical port infrastructure up to date. Merkley has consistently fought in the Senate to strengthen Oregon’s small ports and make sure that small ports in America receive their fair share of funding. For small coastal communities in Oregon, access to funding for dredging is crucial to the economy. Last year there was $48 million in dedicated funding for small ports.
The following Oregon ports received funding:
- Chetco River (Brookings): $809,000
- Columbia River at the Mouth: $24.13 million
- Coos Bay: $7.7 million
- Umpqua River (Reedsport/Salmon Harbor): $921,000
- Yaquina Bay and Harbor (Newport): $3.1
Investigación y desarrollo de energía de las olas: Merkley obtuvo al menos $5 millones para la instalación de pruebas de energía de las olas de la Universidad Estatal de Oregón, que será la primera instalación de pruebas de energía de las olas en el agua y conectada a la red en el país que avanza en tecnología que tiene el potencial de proporcionar energía limpia a largo plazo.
Presa Scoggins: La presa Scoggins recibió $2 millones para mejoras. La presa Scoggins ha sido clasificada como una de las presas con mayor riesgo sísmico que gestiona la Oficina de Reclamación. Esta clasificación significa que la falla de la presa debido a un gran terremoto podría provocar daños importantes o incluso la pérdida de vidas en las comunidades si la presa no se mejora. El informe también incluía texto instando a la Oficina de Reclamación a considerar otros beneficios como un mayor suministro de agua además de la seguridad pública.
Vivienda tribal: Language was included to encourage the Army Corp to continue its development plan for housing near The Dalles Dam. The language also urges the Army Corps to issue implementation guidance for the development plan for replacement housing near the Bonneville Dam and a study on potential housing losses at the John Day Dam that were authorized in the WIIN Act. Merkley, along with Congressman Earl Blumenauer and colleagues in both the Senate and House and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, have been fighting to address the urgent need for adequate housing along the Columbia River.
Despliegue de vehículos eléctricos: Merkley secured $28 million for the deployment of electric vehicles through the Clean Cities Program, to support cities installing more electric vehicle charging infrastructure and getting more electric vehicles on the road.
Conservación del agua y restauración del hábitat: A provision includes $24 million for the WaterSmart program to fund projects that will help irrigation districts comply with the Endangered Species Act and that support collaborative approaches and reduce conflict, including litigation. The WaterSmart program could support the collaborative process that is underway within Central Oregon to conserve water, improve habitat for endangered steelhead and the spotted frog, and keep Central Oregon family farms in business.
Cerraduras Willamette: A final Disposition Study on the Willamette Falls Navigation Canal and Locks in Clackamas County is funded and well underway, but needs additional funds to be completed. Language was included to direct Disposition of Completed Projects funding — approximately $1 million — to studies already underway, including Willamette Locks.
National Energy Technology Lab: Merkley added language prohibiting closure of the Albany, Oregon-based National Energy Technology Lab facility, which is working to discover, develop, and deploy new technologies to support a strong domestic fossil energy path.
Los próximos pasos serían que el proyecto de ley se envíe al pleno del Senado para una votación en el pleno del Senado y, finalmente, se fusione con un proyecto de ley homólogo de la Cámara de Representantes de los EE. UU. para que ambas cámaras lo aprueben y se convierta en ley.
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