Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (Ala.-05) announced that the House Appropriations Committee approved funding for North Alabama in the Fiscal Year 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill.

Representative Cramer, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that he included $900,000 in this bill to support flood control efforts and other improvements along Pinhook Creek in downtown Huntsville.  This funding will specifically be used for the replacement of a railroad trestle, construction of pedestrian bridges, and other recreational amenities.

“The City of Huntsville has invested a great deal to revitalize the downtown area for development,” said Cramer.  “The Pinhook Creek flood control project is vital to continuing the City’s efforts.”

Representative Cramer also announced that he included $500,000 for the Alabama A&M University Research Institute’s Integrated Environment Research and Services program.  This funding will help Alabama A&M students work with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop an integrated approach to solving regional environmental problems.

Cramer said, “I’m pleased to provide this funding to give A&M students an opportunity to work with the University’s federal and private partners to solve real environmental problems facing our community.”

In addition, Representative Cramer and Representative Robert Aderholt (Ala.-04) together secured $1 million to support University of North Alabama’s (UNA) efforts to employ new energy conservation and efficiency measures.  This includes electric power distribution updates, HVAC System and control replacements, as well as the installation of solar and alternative energy systems.

“With energy costs rising across the country, it is vital that we find ways to utilize alternative energy sources and take other steps to reduce our energy consumption,” says Cramer.  “I applaud UNA’s efforts to make its campus more environmentally friendly.”

The Fiscal Year 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill now moves to the full House for consideration.