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Lamar Smith
Contact: Brian Baluta 202-225-4236


San Antonio Congressional Delegation: Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Includes $3 Million for San Antonio Projects

Washington, Jul 17 -

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3183, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which included over $3 million for San Antonio area projects. These projects include: $1.5 Million for the San Antonio Channel Improvement Project, $1 Million for the Bexar County Solar Collection Farm and Distribution System, and $600 K for Nueces River and Tributaries Project.

Representatives Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Charles Gonzalez (TX-20), Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23), and Lamar Smith (TX-21) worked to have the funds included in the FY 2009 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.

“Together we worked to secure these dollars to restore a great stretch of San Antonio’s river channel,” said Rep. Cuellar. “Anytime we can invest in our natural resources we invest in our communities. And I’m proud to work with the delegation in funding these projects which will ultimately benefit the people of San Antonio.”

“San Antonio will gain from these valuable investments for years to come,” said Rep. Gonzalez. “I am proud that together, the San Antonio delegation was successful in their fight to include these funds in the bill. With this funding, we can make real progress to spur the use and production of clean, efficient energy and help restore the splendor of our community’s natural resources. This funding will pave the way to economic development, while protecting our natural resources and restoring our community’s public lands.”

Congressman Ciro Rodriguez said the vote demonstrates a commitment to some of the San Antonio's most important projects. ""The San Antonio River is both a symbol of our history and a strong economic generator. Improving it pays tribute to its importance and enhances its economic role,"" Rodriguez said. ""The Nueces River and solar projects, meanwhile, will facilitate the smarter usage of two precious resources: water and the sun.""

“Economically, culturally and environmentally, the benefits of these projects are numerous,” said Rep. Smith. “This federal funding will help San Antonio harness a natural resource that we have in abundance – sunlight – and protect a natural resource that is so very precious in Texas – our rivers.”

San Antonio projects included in the bill:

The San Antonio Channel Improvements project will restore an eight-mile stretch of the San Antonio River south of downtown previously channelized for flood control purposes, and provide advances economic development and neighborhood revitalization in a historically underdeveloped and neglected inner-city neighborhood. (As requested by Cuellar, Gonzalez, Rodriguez and Smith)

The Nueces River and Tributaries project will provide a detailed study of the complex relationships between surface water, groundwater and the varying ecosystems and communities dependent on such water. The study will represent a holistic approach to addressing ecosystem restoration, flood control, aquifer recharge, water supply, water quality, brush management, and overall watershed resource management. (As requested by Gonzalez, Rodriguez, and Smith)

The Solar Collection Farm and Distribution System project involves the installation of a 200-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system. This system will be integrated into the new 205,000 square feet Justice Center Expansion building. The PV system will convert natural sunlight into electricity to be used by the building. It will generate approximately 10% of the building's total annual electricity usage. (As requested by Gonzalez and Smith)