Jackson Announces Energy and Water Funds

Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced the House has passed the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for FY 2007 by a vote of 404 to 20.

"Passage of this bill will provide funding for essential improvements to the 2nd District's water infrastructure and greatly improve the quality of life in our communities. These funds will stimulate economic growth around our waterways, continue the improvement of our water supply, and help to prevent flooding," Jackson said.

The bill will now go to the Senate for approval. If approved, it will then go to a House-Senate conference committee where final agreement will be reached and voted on before going to the President for his signature.

The bill includes the following requests made by Congressman Jackson:

*$55 million to continue work on the "Deep Tunnel" project, including construction of the McCook and Thornton reservoirs located in Chicago's south suburbs;

*$4.219 million for the Calumet Harbor and River project which consists of two miles of breakwater, 12 miles of channel improvements, three turning basins, a confined disposal facility, boat shed facility, and a stone dock;

*$750,000 toward the environmental infrastructure needs in Cook County including development and protection of water supply systems, combined sewer overflows, and remediation of adverse water quality impacts and storm water impacts to waste water systems;

*$250,000 for Chicago State University to expand research space in order to provide students with the skills necessary to enter top graduate schools. CSU produces one-third of all minority baccalaureate degrees in the physical sciences in the state of Illinois.

Over the past five years, Jackson has helped secure more than $148 million for the Deep Tunnel Project, the comprehensive Chicago Underflow Plan designed to improve flood protection and improve water quality for the metropolitan area.

The bill also includes $10 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue work on the Chicago Shoreline Protection Program, which will provide storm damage protection to the Lake Michigan shoreline in Chicago.