FY 2009 Funding Requests

Dear Friend,

Washington’s wasteful spending problem needs to be corrected. I am proud of the high marks I’ve received from the National Taxpayers Union and Club for Growth on my Congressional record of cutting waste and defending taxpayers.

Unlike the traditional understanding of “earmarks,” my funding requests are offset by cutting poor performing and other programs. By doing this, the overall spending in the budget does not increase. My defense-related transportation requests improve access for Peterson Air Force Base and Fort Carson. I support funding offsets for these requests as well. These requests are for legitimate national purposes and not for “pork projects” such as the Woodstock museum ($1,000,000).  Instead, my priorities for project funding promote the defense needs of Colorado’s military assets and our national security. Moreover, the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce supports these funding requests. (see document below)

In the interest of transparency, I am sharing with you the complete list of funding requests I have made for Fiscal Year 2009. You will find the amount, request details, and local support behind each request. I have taken a similar approach in the legislative process by making these funding requests subject to debate and amendment.  Now, as you take a moment to review the details of my funding requests, I am confident you will agree that these projects protect our men and women in uniform and strengthen our national defense.

23-Acre Land Acquisition for Peterson AFB - Amount Requested: $4.9M
Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, CO
• Prevents encroachment and allows future mission expansion by allowing the Department of the Air Force to acquire from a willing seller a 23 acre parcel in the State of Colorado

Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center - Amount Requested: $10M
Schriever AFB, Colorado Springs, CO
• Provides funding for the Missile Defense Agency’s modeling and simulation center for ballistic missile defense applications
• MDIOC, located at Schriever AFB, Colorado, is the proving ground for current and future missile defense programs and bridges the gap between developmental systems and the operational community

ACES 5 Ejection Seat - Amount Requested: $12M
Colorado Springs, CO
• Funds development and testing of the ACES 5 ejection seat to enable insertion into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for the protection of our pilots in emergencies
• Ensures preservation of the domestic manufacturing capability to produce vital life-saving ejection seat systems

Expeditionary 200 kW+ Alternative Power Generator -Phase 1 - Amount Requested: $6M
Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, CO
• Demonstrates and qualifies in a cold climate an innovative, energy efficient, alternative power technology for an energy intense Air Force installation
• Utilizing tactical or readily available fuel for a next generation power generator capable of providing power within various settings

Radiation Hardened Non-Volatile Memory Technology - Amount Requested: $6.25M
Colorado Springs, CO
• Improves satellite payload operations by developing advanced memory components and subsystem capabilities, hardening them for protection in hostile settings
• Enhances satellite data storage capabilities to fit continually expanding future requirements

Digital Engine/Hydraulic Valve Actuation Technology - Amount Requested: $3.5M
Woodland Park, CO
• Develops technology to increase truck engine fuel efficiency up 50% for existing multi-fuel (JP8, biodiesel, E85, DME, gasoline, diesel) engines, and cleaner emissions

Webster Agent Case Expert - Amount Requested: $6.5M
Colorado Springs, CO
• Improves software designed to gather, assess, and manage military information operations from specified databases and open source material

Deployable Space and Electronic Warfare Analysis Tools - Amount Requested: $4M
Colorado Springs, CO
• Creates a common operation environment for Army support teams by incorporating space object data, improving navigation accuracy prediction, and integrating electronic warfare analysis
• Provides mission planners with a near real-time assessment platform to support operation centers worldwide

High Altitude Long Endurance Development Program - Amount Requested: $5.5M
Colorado Springs, CO
• Corrects force capability gaps by providing the High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) stratospheric operating regime with “Space-like” communications and surveillance for battlefield situational awareness and over-the horizon communication

Full Access to Peterson AFB from Powers Boulevard - Amount Requested: $4M
Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, CO
• Addresses mobility and future congestion at the Powers Boulevard intersection by providing an interchange

Improvements at Fort Carson Gates 5 & 6 - Amount Requested: $687,000
Fort Carson, CO
• Accelerates intersection improvements at Fort Carson Gates 5 and 6 and safety improvements along SH 115 located between these gates

Sincerely,

Congressman Doug Lamborn