Berkley details role in directing federal energy and water funding to Southern Nevada
Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., sent out this detailed report on her role in directing federal funding to Southern Nevada, via an energy and water appropriation.
PRESIDENT SIGNS BILL WITH $6.75 MILLION IN BERKLEY PROJECTS FOR SOUTHERN NEVADA
Slashes Yucca Mountain Budget, Funds Blue Ribbon Panel on Alternatives to Failed Nevada Dump
(October 28, 2009 — Washington, D.C.) President Obama today signed the FY 2010 energy and water spending package into law. The legislation contains more than $6.75 million in funding for Nevada projects secured by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley. In addition, the new law slashes the budget for Yucca Mountain and funds an expert panel that will be charged with looking at alternatives to burying waste 90 minutes outside Las Vegas.
“Nevadans have been fighting Yucca Mountain for decades and with the President’s signature on this new law, we are slashing the budget for this failed project to the bone. Keeping waste at existing locations is safe for the next 100 years and will allow an expert panel to revisit the question of how to deal with the legacy of this radioactive garbage created by nuclear power production. The time has also come for the nuclear industry to stop spending millions of dollars in pursuit of its dream of seeing Nevada turned into a toxic dumping ground. They need to call off the attack dogs and finally come to the table with a real solution to an issue created by their stubborn refusal to recognize Yucca Mountain’s laundry list of failures -- including its budget-busting $100 billion price tag,” said Berkley.
Also included in the package are projects to enhance the Las Vegas Wash and protect water quality at Lake Mead.
“Lake Mead is the main source of the Valley’s drinking water supplies and we need to take steps to protect our water quality. This includes projects to help minimize the impact of storm water, treated wastewater and runoff from lawns, landscaping and Valley streets,” said Berkley. “The funding included in this bill will help address erosion, habitat loss and overall threats to Lake Mead’s water quality by improving conditions along the Las Vegas Wash. Long term management plans call for stabilizing the Wash, establishing wetlands in order to increase wildlife habitat and taking steps to help maintain water quality. The projects funded in this bill will help us to meet all three of these critical goals.”
The bill funds ongoing work to build a wastewater reclamation facility in North Las Vegas.
“Reclaiming wastewater is one more way we can maximize the Valley’s limited water resources. Funding in this bill will help cover construction costs for this North Las Vegas facility, which will reclaim up to 25 million gallons per day in wastewater,” said Berkley.
Berkley also secured $1.2 million for the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy for development of a photovoltaic solar system to help meet the school’s energy demands. The addition of the advanced regenerative fuel cell system will provide power to the Academy, while also creating a learning environment for students to explore renewable and alternative power sources such as solar, fuel cells and hydrogen.
An additional $750,000 will go to the Desert Research Institute (DRI) for a study on drought. This project focuses on creating a better understanding of the current and future use of water resources within the State of Nevada. The effort will utilize a dedicated supercomputer to look at various past, present and future Nevada water resources and to gauge the impacts of current drought conditions. DRI will also receive $500 million to expand and strengthen its renewable energy center.
Berkley FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Projects
Lake Mead water quality and Las Vegas wash enhancements: $2.3 million
North Las Vegas water reclamation facility: $2 million
DRI water resources data project: $750,000
DRI renewable energy center: $500,000
Agassi Preparatory Academy alternative energy project: $1.2 million
