Energy and Water Development Spending Bill Passes U.S. House
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2015 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, including advancements in funding for nuclear weapons activities, flood and storm damage protection, and research and development of new energy technologies. The bill spends $50.5 million less than Fiscal Year 2014, and prohibits any changes to the definition of “Waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act.
National security
Fully maintains current nuclear deterrence efforts by providing $11.4 billion in funding for nuclear weapons security programs within the Department of Energy, keeping the United States’ nuclear force functional and secure. $8.2 billion is provided for weapons activities, $1.5 billion for defense nuclear nonproliferation, and $1.2 billion for naval nuclear reactors.
Water infrastructure
Focuses funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on projects which will have an immediate, positive effect on public safety, job creation, and American economic growth. Rejects the President’s proposed funding cut of $934.5 million for the Army Corps, and provides $2.3 billion for water navigation projects and $1.7 billion for flood and storm damage reduction projects. Specific North Dakota funding includes flood prevention feasibility studies along the Red and James Rivers, operation and maintenance funding for infrastructure such as Garrison and Baldhill Dams, and Bureau of Reclamation rural water projects such as those connected with the Garrison Diversion Unit.
Addresses the proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule from the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers by prohibiting such changes to federal jurisdiction over “navigable waters”. Yesterday Congressman Cramer questioned the Deputy Administrator of the EPA on this rule.
Energy security
Promotes American energy security by funding a variety of energy research and development and reversing the President’s significant spending increases in efficiency and renewable energy to the detriment of fossil energy. To achieve a more balanced energy strategy, the bill reduces efficiency and renewable spending by $113 million from last year’s level for a total of $1.8 billion and increases investment in new fossil fuel technologies by almost $40 million from last year’s level for a total of $593 million.
“The House is now halfway through the regular order process of debating and passing appropriations bills to fund the government,” said Cramer. “The funding bill we passed today is particularly important to North Dakota because it blocks the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule as written. This overreach of our federal government has significant negative ramifications for farmers, landowners, and our whole state’s economy.”