Sens. Dodd, Lieberman Announce $20 Million for Connecticut in Energy and Water Appropriations Bill

October 15, 2009 -- Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced that Connecticut will receive $20,061,000 from the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. The bill has been passed by the House and will now go to the President for his signature.

“This energy and water spending bill will provide important support to Connecticut’s waterways and energy researchers in the areas of fuel cells, bio-energy, and other alternative energy,” said Dodd. “These resources are an investment in Connecticut and our nation’s energy future, and will allow us to move away from our unhealthy dependence on foreign oil.”

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“Protecting Connecticut’s environment by enhancing conservation efforts, improving energy efficiency, and exploring alternative forms of energy is vital to keeping our state both beautiful and competitive,” Lieberman said. “I am pleased to have been able to help secure funding for a variety of projects which will work towards accomplishing these goals, while boosting the State’s economy.”

The following towns and projects will be supported through the FY2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill:

* $2,890,000 to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for the development of a Dredged Materials Management Plan for the Long Island Sound

* $4,000,000 to the University of Connecticut at Storrs for fuel cell research and the creation of a Connecticut Bio Energy Initiative

* $359,000 to The Nature Conservancy in Middletown to conduct a hydrological study of the Connecticut River Watershed Basin

* $1,432,000 to the City of Norwalk to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ maintenance dredging program for the Norwalk Harbor Federal Navigation Project

* $100,000 to the Town of Greenwich to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ maintenance of Greenwich Harbor

* $412,000 to the City of Stamford to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintenance of the Stamford Hurricane Barrier

* $500,000 to Avalence in Milford for a joint venture with the Greater New Haven Transit District and the Town of Hamden to develop a hydrogen fueling station

* $750,000 to the City of Norwich for the development of a combined power and thermal energy plant in Norwich’s business park

* $500,000 to the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford for photovoltaic energy production panels and fuel cell energy technology

* $750,000 to the Connecticut State University System to support a nanotechnology initiative for research and development at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain and Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven

* $500,000 to the University of New Haven to support an accredited solar testing and training laboratory

* $7,868,000 to the Army Corps of Engineers for project condition surveys across the state, inspection of completed works and projects in North Grosvenordale, Thomaston, Stamford, Mystic, Mansfield, Middlebury and Riverton

The bill also includes funds for the Army Corps of Engineers to restore eroded sections of Prospect Beach in West Haven and the restoration of the Mill River waterfront in Stamford.

Source: Senator Chris Dodd