05.13.08
Maria's Monday Memo
Pushing for Increased Radar Coverage
Last Tuesday, at a Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard hearing on the fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), I, as Chair, pressed NOAA on funding for Doppler radar on Washington state’s coast. In response to my questioning, NOAA’s Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.), announced that by the end of this month, NOAA will complete an assessment of the Agency’s performance during the December 2007 winter storms that hit Washington and Oregon. An overall plan for addressing recommendations made by that assessment – as well as for addressing community concerns – is due by the end of June. NOAA also announced plans to integrate the Washington Federal Aviation Administration Doppler radars into the National Weather Service’s weather data system by the end of 2008, which could greatly improve radar coverage for Washington’s coast.
Bursting the Energy Price Bubble
Last week, after the unveiling of the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008, I made it clear Congress needs to act to protect Americans, and our economy, from out of control energy prices. While a lot of factors may be to blame for today’s out of control prices, I want to make sure that consumers are not being exploited.
We need a cop on the beat to patrol the markets for any illegal activity or manipulation and help ensure Americans are paying prices that are not just fair, but based on supply and demand fundamentals. Oil industry analysts and executives have testified that they think the price of oil should be about $50 to $60 a barrel, less than half of the world price. Just last week, I was pleased to announce the Federal Trade Commission was finally stepping up to begin policing oil and gas markets, using authority Congress granted them in a provision I authored to the 2007 Energy Bill. Now it’s time for Congress to pursue vigilant oversight over these markets to ensure Americans aren’t the victims of a few rogue traders manipulating energy markets. By taking these steps, we may be able to burst the energy price bubble that is dragging down our economy.
Another Anniversary, Another Year of Outdated Mining Laws
Last week marked the 136th anniversary of the General Mining Law of 1872, and as another year passes with no Congressional action, I again called for responsible policies that protect our nation's environment and communities, while also providing reasonable access for responsible mining. I plan to introduce the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2008 to update the Mining Law of 1872 that governs mining on western public lands. This mining law is simply a relic of Western expansion and is a product of the days when miners carried pick axes and gold pans. The time for a new law is now. In my home state of Washington, our public lands provide enormous economic and conservation benefits that increase the quality of life for all our citizens. If we don’t have meaningful reform, many of America’s most treasured places, including roadless areas, will continue to be claimed for mining.
President Bush Signs Public Lands Package into Law
Last Thursday, I celebrated a big win for Washington state. President Bush signed into law legislation that will protect some of Washington state’s most sensitive, historic, and culturally significant areas. Part of this large public lands package included the Wild Sky Wilderness designation and legislation designating Bainbridge Island as a National Park Service historic site status. I have long been committed to protecting Washington state public lands, and worked with many of her colleagues to ensure their preservation for future generations. Wild Sky will provide Washington state with its first new wilderness in two decades, and I applaud President Bush for signing it into law. Creating this new wilderness area in Washington means more opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, a boost to tourism, protection for wildlife habitats and preservation of clean water sources. After years of hurdles and obstacles, I'm so proud to see this day finally come.
The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Memorial will be a satellite unit of the Minidoka Internment National Historic Monument. The Minidoka site in Jerome County, Idaho marks the place where the first 227 Japanese Americans interned during World War II were forcibly removed from their homes and communities. Construction of the memorial began in 2006 with the help of funding from private donors and the State of Washington. The dedication of Bainbridge Island will serve as an important reminder of the injustice suffered by Japanese American citizens and will provide an opportunity for future generations to learn from the past. I am proud that we are finally recognizing this important part of our nation's and state's history.
Northrop Grumman/EADS Job Projection Must be Verified
On Friday, I sent a letter along with U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) to Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao. We asked the Departments of Commerce and Labor to verify the claims made by Northrop Grumman/EADS (NG/EADS) concerning the creation of U.S. jobs related to the recently awarded KC-45 Aerial Refueling Tanker Program. Northrop Grumman/EADS significantly changed their job projection figures from an initial 25,000 to 48,000 U.S. jobs at 230 companies in 49 states two weeks later. Checking the validity of these claims is important so Congress has the information it needs for the debate on the tanker that will take place in the weeks and months ahead. In the not-so-distant past, the Department of Commerce found that EADS subsidiary Airbus Industrie (Airbus) exaggerated U.S. job creation claims. Congress must make sure the aerospace industry, industrial base, and domestic workforce stay strong because they are vital to our national security, as well as our country’s economic future.
Committee Passage to Replace the Snoqualmie Pass Fire Station
Last week, I was proud to shepherd legislation through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to help the Snoqualmie Pass Fire District build a new fire station on an acre and a half of Forest Service land near an I-90 on-ramp at the Pass. This station would support neighboring communities and address safety and security needs, while helping to preserve the environment. For decades, the Fire District has operated out of an aging building that was not originally designed to be a fire station and is structurally inadequate to meet the growing emergency response needs at the Pass. Today we are one step closer to seeing a much-needed new fire station at Snoqualmie Pass. With an average of more than 300 calls a year, triple the amount of calls a typical all-volunteer fire department would respond to in a year, there is a critical need for a working, updated fire station. In order to maintain the safety of our communities, and help protect these pristine areas in Washington, we must invest in the future and build an adequate fire station. I introduced legislation in early February to transfer Forest Service land to the Snoqualmie Pass Fire and Rescue to build the new fire station. Last year, I worked closely with the Fire District and conservation groups to secure an amendment to a similar bill introduced by Congressmen Doc Hastings (WA-04) and Dave Reichert (WA-08) that better tailored the legislation to the needs of the Fire District.
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Last Tuesday, at a Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard hearing on the fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), I, as Chair, pressed NOAA on funding for Doppler radar on Washington state’s coast. In response to my questioning, NOAA’s Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.), announced that by the end of this month, NOAA will complete an assessment of the Agency’s performance during the December 2007 winter storms that hit Washington and Oregon. An overall plan for addressing recommendations made by that assessment – as well as for addressing community concerns – is due by the end of June. NOAA also announced plans to integrate the Washington Federal Aviation Administration Doppler radars into the National Weather Service’s weather data system by the end of 2008, which could greatly improve radar coverage for Washington’s coast.
Last week marked the 136th anniversary of the General Mining Law of 1872, and as another year passes with no Congressional action, I again called for responsible policies that protect our nation's environment and communities, while also providing reasonable access for responsible mining. I plan to introduce the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2008 to update the Mining Law of 1872 that governs mining on western public lands. This mining law is simply a relic of Western expansion and is a product of the days when miners carried pick axes and gold pans. The time for a new law is now. In my home state of Washington, our public lands provide enormous economic and conservation benefits that increase the quality of life for all our citizens. If we don’t have meaningful reform, many of America’s most treasured places, including roadless areas, will continue to be claimed for mining.
On Friday, I sent a letter along with U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) to Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao. We asked the Departments of Commerce and Labor to verify the claims made by Northrop Grumman/EADS (NG/EADS) concerning the creation of U.S. jobs related to the recently awarded KC-45 Aerial Refueling Tanker Program. Northrop Grumman/EADS significantly changed their job projection figures from an initial 25,000 to 48,000 U.S. jobs at 230 companies in 49 states two weeks later. Checking the validity of these claims is important so Congress has the information it needs for the debate on the tanker that will take place in the weeks and months ahead. In the not-so-distant past, the Department of Commerce found that EADS subsidiary Airbus Industrie (Airbus) exaggerated U.S. job creation claims. Congress must make sure the aerospace industry, industrial base, and domestic workforce stay strong because they are vital to our national security, as well as our country’s economic future.
Last week, I was proud to shepherd legislation through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to help the Snoqualmie Pass Fire District build a new fire station on an acre and a half of Forest Service land near an I-90 on-ramp at the Pass. This station would support neighboring communities and address safety and security needs, while helping to preserve the environment. For decades, the Fire District has operated out of an aging building that was not originally designed to be a fire station and is structurally inadequate to meet the growing emergency response needs at the Pass. Today we are one step closer to seeing a much-needed new fire station at Snoqualmie Pass. With an average of more than 300 calls a year, triple the amount of calls a typical all-volunteer fire department would respond to in a year, there is a critical need for a working, updated fire station. In order to maintain the safety of our communities, and help protect these pristine areas in Washington, we must invest in the future and build an adequate fire station. I introduced legislation in early February to transfer Forest Service land to the Snoqualmie Pass Fire and Rescue to build the new fire station. Last year, I worked closely with the Fire District and conservation groups to secure an amendment to a similar bill introduced by Congressmen Doc Hastings (WA-04) and Dave Reichert (WA-08) that better tailored the legislation to the needs of the Fire District.
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