In February Casey Joined Leaders from Across Western PA to Push for Increased Investment / Significant Investment in Senate Bill Boosts Prospects that Funds Will Become Law
Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that a key Senate appropriations bill contains $52 million for the Lower Mon Project. In February, Casey joined leaders from across Western Pennsylvania to push for increased investment in the region’s locks and dam. The significant investment included in the Senate’s Energy and Water Appropriations bill boosts prospects for the funding to become law.
“This proposed investment puts the Lower Mon project on solid footing as we move forward in the Appropriations process,” Senator Casey said. “As this legislation moves ahead I’ll fight to protect this funding. Western Pennsylvania’s locks and dams are part of the region’s economic foundation. It’s critical that we maintain and invest in this economic asset.”
Since 2007, Senator Casey has helped to secure over $233 million for the Lower Mon Project. In February 2013, Senator Casey introduced the RIVER Act, which sought to significantly boost the nations’ locks and dams while creating jobs. The majority of Senator Casey’s RIVER Act was included in the final version of the Water Reform and Resource Development Act and enacted into law at the end of last year.
Following the passage of the FY 2014 omnibus appropriations bill, Senator Casey sent a letter to Assistant Secretary Darcy urging her to prioritize additional funding for the Lower Mon Project, leading to a total of $74.675 million being allocated to the Lower Mon Project, a $72.5 million increase over the initial allocation. Following the passage of the FY 2015 bill, Senator Casey sent another letter to Assistant Secretary Darcy urging her to prioritize additional funding for the Lower Mon Project. This led to a total of $58 million being allocated to the Lower Mon Project, a $49 million increase over the initial allocation.
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