IN TIGHT FISCAL ENVIRONMENT REP. LEWIS GAINS $7.4 MILLION IN 5TH DISTRICT FUNDING

Oct 21, 2009

Last week the Senate passed the conference report associated with H.R. 3183, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010.  The report had been passed by the House earlier this month. Included in that bill is $7.4 million in funding for the following 5th District projects requested by Rep. John Lewis:

 

  • Environmental Infrastructure, City of Atlanta: $1,429,000

These funds will be utilized by the City of Atlanta to rebuild its water and sewer infrastructure.  They will help defray costs to the taxpayer to refurbish the system.

 

  • Consortium on Plant Biotechnology Research, Georgia Institute of Technology: $3,000,000

GA Tech is a member of the Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research (CPBR), which speeds the transfer of new innovations in biotechnology from the research laboratory to the marketplace, using a rigorously competitive project selection process that includes an industry review for relevance and peer review for scientific merit.  These funds help speed movement toward a green economy.

 

  • Morehouse College Energy Science Research and Education Initiative, Morehouse College: $2,000,000

This funding will contribute to the Morehouse College Minority Energy Science Research and Education Initiative, a comprehensive program for high achieving students, preparing them for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The program immerses participants into a 4-year program, beginning before college, and involves a program of mentored research, tuition support, seminars, and summer research experiences at research laboratories.  This appropriation will help increase research scientists in the field of nuclear science security.

 

  • Southern Pine Based Biorefinery Center, Georgia Institute of Technology: $1,000,000

The Georgia Institute of Technology will use the funding to create a biomass processing facility that integrates our ability to tailor biomass productivity and processability with conversion processes and the equipment to produce biofuels and bioenergy.  As highlighted by the National Commission on Energy Policy and other sources, the technologies needed to generate cellulosic ethanol and 3rd generation biofuels is one of the highest national challenges this nation currently faces.  At the cornerstone of this green industrial revolution is the integrated biorefinery.  Funding for this project seeks to put Georgia ahead in innovation in green technology.

 

 

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CONTACT:

Brenda Jones
(202) 226 - 4673