Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (Ala.-05) announced that the House today approved funding for North Alabama that he secured 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 Pinhook Creek project is a significant part of the City’s future development plans,” said Cramer.  “This funding will help the City move forward with its flood control efforts for downtown Huntsville.”

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.

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.  The money would be used for improvements to academic buildings with an average age of 65 years.  The Green Campus Initiative will save energy costs, conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and employ solar power as an alternative energy source.

“UNA is taking steps to ensure that its aging facilities are consuming energy efficiently,” said Cramer.  “This funding will help UNA proceed with its environmentally friendly facility upgrades.”

The House Appropriations Committee approved this funding prior to today’s vote.  The FY 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.