LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Senate, House Appropriations Committees Approve FY 2009 ARC Funding Bills; House Passes Five-Year ARC Reauthorization Legislation
On July 10, the Senate Committee on Appropriations approved its version of the fiscal year (FY) 2009 energy and water development appropriations bill, which contains ARC's nonhighway funding for the fiscal year beginning October 1. The bill provides $85 million for ARC, an increase from the Commission's current funding level of $73 million. The House Committee on Appropriations approved its FY 2009 energy and water development appropriations bill, containing $67 million for ARC, on June 25. Full Senate and House action on the measures is pending.

On July 15, the House approved a compromise five-year reauthorization bill for ARC’s nonhighway programs. Funding authorization levels in the bill begin at $87 million for FY 2008 and increase to $110 million for FY 2012. The legislation requires the designation of economically “at risk” counties and permits ARC to fund up to 70 percent of the cost of projects it funds in those counties. The measure also creates a new economic and energy development initiative to fund activities in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and conventional energy resources through the use of advanced technologies that reduce emissions such as greenhouse gasses. Additionally, the bill adds 10 new counties to the Appalachian Region. Senate action on the reauthorization bill is pending.

NEWS BRIEFS
President's FY 2009 Budget Request for ARC is Released
President Bush's fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget request for ARC was released February 4, 2008. The budget requests $65 million for ARC’s community and economic development programs.

FY 2009 Performance Budget Justification (PDF format–1.6 MB)

ARC Releases Energy Blueprint for Appalachia
ARC Co-Chairs Anne B. Pope and Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher announced the release of Energizing Appalachia: A Regional Blueprint for Economic and Energy Development October 12, 2006, at the ARC fall conference in Pikeville, Kentucky. The Blueprint, developed through a process that included research, regional roundtables, and the creation of an Energy Advisory Council comprising representatives from the energy offices of each of the 13 Appalachian states and the local development districts, provides a strategic framework for the creation of energy-related job opportunities through the stimulation of sustainable energy production, efficiency, and innovation efforts in the Appalachian Region. The Blueprint focuses on promoting energy efficiency; increasing the use of renewable energy resources; and developing conventional energy resources, especially advanced clean coal.

Project Seeks Donation of New Encyclopedia of Appalachia to Schools in Appalachian Region
A new donation program is helping Appalachian schools obtain their own copies of the first-of-its kind Encyclopedia of Appalachia.

The encyclopedia, published in March 2006 by the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services at East Tennessee State University, is a comprehensive work on the Region's land, people, economics, cultural traditions, and institutions. It contains over 2,000 entries edited by scholars recognized in their fields.

The Encyclopedia-in-Schools Project, sponsored by the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services and the University of Tennessee Press, will help make the encyclopedia available to intermediate and high schools in Appalachia through individual and business donations. Purchased in lots of 25 or more, the books will be discounted and provided to school libraries.

Priority is given to schools in counties designated as economically distressed by the Appalachian Regional Commission. However, donors may elect to donate copies of the encyclopedia to schools in other Appalachian counties.

TESTIMONY
Full text of legislative testimony given by ARC officials.