LAUTENBERG: SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES MORE THAN $141 MILLION FOR ENERGY AND WATER PROJECTS IN NEW JERSEY

LAUTENBERG: SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES MORE THAN $141 MILLION FOR ENERGY AND WATER PROJECTS IN NEW JERSEY
Measure Would Fund Beach Replenishment Projects, Harbor Deepening, Flood Warning Systems, and Other Vital Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, which will bring New Jersey more than $141 million for harbor deepening, flood warning systems, beach replenishment projects and other crucial programs.  The bill will next be considered by the full Senate. 

"This measure would strengthen New Jersey's infrastructure, protect our communities from flooding and invest in alternative energy sources.  These funds are critical to New Jersey's economy and environment, and I am proud to have helped take this important step to secure them," said Sen. Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

New Jersey would receive $141,957,000 in funds under the legislation.  New Jersey projects in the bill include:

· $60,000,000 for New York and New Jersey harbor deepening.
· $553,000 for the Passaic River Flood Warning System to provide first responders with immediate access to flood data.  The PFWS protects a 935 square mile flood basin encompassing 132 communities;
· $7,000,000 for flood control in Middlesex Boro and Green Brook;
· $3,000,000 for development at Minish Park in Newark;
· $6,000,000 for floodwalls, dunes and beach replenishment in the Sandy Hook area;
· $5,000,000 for beach replenishment in Long Beach Island;
· $2,000,000 for beach replenishment in Atlantic City;
· $6,500,000 for beach replenishment in Ocean City;
· $1,000,000 for Trenton Fuel Works to convert a Mercer County sludge facility into a biorefinery;
· $1,000,000 for the City of Elizabeth to incorporate solar panels, green planning and other technologies to reduce energy costs;
· $750,000 for Rowan University to conduct research on algae to ethanol research.  Algae-based ethanol is expected to be less energy intensive to produce than corn-based ethanol and may reduce greenhouse gases by utilizing carbon dioxide that has been sequestered.

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