Chet Edwards For Congress - Clean Air, Clean Water

Central Texas Dam Getting Multi-Million Dollar Face Lift

econnor — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:11:31 -0700

KXXV TV: Central Texas Dam Getting Multi-Million Dollar Face Lift

March 8, 2008

"Clean energy is part of America's future," said Congressman Chet Edwards in the Whitney Dam Saturday afternoon.

In an effort to continue with his push for clean and sustainable energy sources, Edwards secured roughly 4.5 million dollars in funding to revamp the aging structure.

Built in 1949, Whitney Dam has generated thousands of homes in Central Texas with hydroelectric energy.

But after being online for more than half a century, the structure is showing its age.

Turbines and the two generators which convert water power to electricity are wearing out.

"As the plant gets older, we're going to start losing our reliability," said Army Corps of Engineer Tom McGrath.

Edwards said not only does the plant provide electricity for Central Texas but it is an example right here in our backyard of how to curb the nation's dependency on foreign fuel.

"The more we can do of this the more we find other energy sources and develop those the less the chance we have people spending over three dollars for gas," said Edwards.

Edwards added the modernization of the Whitney Dam is a win-win solution.

"This is truly part of our national effort to find renewable and clean energy," added Edwards.

The Army Corps of Engineers was able to sell roughly two million dollars worth of power last year alone.

All that money went right back into the hands of the U.S. Government.

The first stage of the renovation will start at the plant later this year.

Reynolds Creek Park reopens for day fishing

econnor — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:11:31 -0700

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Waco Trib: Reynolds Creek Park reopens for day fishing

Waco Tribune
By Van Darden

With bait and tackle in hand, area fishing enthusiasts gathered Saturday afternoon to celebrate the grand reopening of Reynolds Creek Park.

The park has been closed since 2003, when the Army Corps of Engineers raised the water level of Lake Waco.

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards was on hand to participate in the reopening and congratulate the individuals who worked to get the park open.

“This is an example of true democracy working for the people,” said Edwards, D-Waco. “Local fishermen wanted more fishing areas open, and they deserve the credit for getting it done.”

Elton Welch, a longtime Lake Waco fisherman, was one of the main proponents of reopening the Lake Waco parks that had been closed.

“We got a petition going and contacted Mr. Edwards’ office, and I think (the Corps) will see that this was for the better,” Welch said, surveying the crowd.

Welch said he also credits new Army Corps management in helping to get the park reopened.

“It helps having people that will listen to you and have an interest,” he said.

Eric Haskell, a natural resource specialist with the Army Corps of Engineers, said more than 40 campsites around Lake Waco were closed in 2003 due to a series of problems, ending with the raising of the water level.

Future reopenings

Haskell said at that point, many parks, including Reynolds Creek Park (formerly Speegleville Park I), terminated access to lakeside day fishing, leaving the parks’ upper levels open only for campers.

Haskell said he hopes Reynolds Creek Park will be a model for other park reopenings.

“We’ve separated the camping from day use to limit any contact and conflicts between the two groups,” Haskell said.

Edwards, a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, said his office will continue to make Lake Waco a family destination.

“For many working families who can’t afford pricey destination vacations, a fishing trip to Lake Waco is their vacation,” Edwards said. “And that’s really why I’m here.”

Edwards said his office’s next project will be getting Airport Park reopened.

“This is a continuing effort,” Edwards said. “We need more access for bank fishermen. We need to make (Lake Waco) handicap-accessible.”

Spending Bill Provides For Projects In Hill County

econnor — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:11:31 -0700

Hillsboro Reporter: Spending Bill Provides For Projects In Hill County

Dec. 30, 2007

An omnibus spending bill was signed by President George W. Bush Wednesday, December 26, aboard Air Force One on his way to Texas.

The $515 billion bill included 8,993 earmarks costing nearly $10 billion, according to the White House.

Included in the earmarks that President Bush chastised congress for are some that will benefit projects in Hill County.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison secured $140,000 for improvements to the City of Hillsboro’s downtown streetscape.

“This funding will help revitalize Hillsboro’s downtown while attracting new businesses and more jobs for Hillsboro’s families,” Sen. Hutchison said.

Congressman Chet Edwards secured funding for improvements to Hillsboro’s water and wastewater systems, the Lake Whitney Dam powerhouse and Farm Road 933 near White Bluff, along with funds for the GEAR UP Program in Hill and Bosque counties.

An earmark of $492,200 will add to the City of Hillsboro’s efforts to upgrade its aging water-delivery and wastewater-collection systems.

Hillsboro City Manager Jack Harper said that the funding will primarily be used to replace parts of the system that are in desperate need of repair.

The city has made significant improvements to its wastewater-treatment plant with an expansion that nearly doubled the capacity.

It has used funds left over from that project to address inflow and infiltration problems in the wastewater-collection system, but still has a long way to go in replacing some of the old, clay sewer lines in the city.

“Improving water pipelines and infrastructure are important for Hillsboro’s families and businesses and for the community’s future growth,” said Edwards. “I want to salute Mayor John Erwin, former Mayor Will Lowrance, City Manager Jack Harper and community leaders for their vision and hard work on this project. It was a privilege to work with them.”

Edwards earmarked $4.42 million to replace two turbines and upgrade generators at Lake Whitney Dam.

“By replacing turbines and upgrading hydropower capacity at the Lake Whitney Powerhouse, we will be able to provide electricity to 1,500 more area homes on average each year,” the congressman said. “It will also help lower the cost of electricity for cities and families throughout Central Texas by lowering the purchase price of energy during the high demand periods.”

The planned improvements will increase the powerhouse’s generating capacity to 42-megawatts.

Farm Road 933 at the entrance to White Bluff will benefit from $196,000 that will pay to add a left-turn lane.

Edwards said that the federal funding will jumpstart the project with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which will fund the project on the state level.

He said that improving the roadway will ease traffic congestion, reduce the risk of serious auto accidents and help encourage economic development.

Edwards also secured $97,000 for the GEAR UP Program.

Administered through the Region 12 Education Service Center, the program prepares at-risk junior high and high school students academically and socially for college.

School districts in Hill and Bosque counties, along with Hill College, McLennan Community College and Texas State Technical College, provide programs that are designed to increase the number of students who will continue their education beyond high school.

The President included a signing statement criticizing congress for failing to cut back on earmarks. He wrote that “these projects are not funded through a merit-based process and provide a vehicle for wasteful government spending.”

He said that the funding passed for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan included in the bill were good down payments and called for congress to take action quickly in 2008 to provide the remainder of the needed funding.

Approps bill includes $3.3 million for local projects

econnor — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:11:31 -0700

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Waco Trib: Appropriations bill includes $3.3 million for local projects

Waco Tribune
By David Doerr

The $555 billion spending bill President Bush signed as he flew to spend time at the Western White House has provisions that could affect some of his Central Texas neighbors. The appropriations include $3.3 million secured by Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, for projects in McLennan County.

Local earmarks include:

$1.4 million to remove debris and repair damage to Lake Waco Parks from flooding earlier this year. Edwards said in a press release the repairs should allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to open Airport Park and Airport Beach in 2008.

$294,000 for a study to help Beverly Hills determine how to repair Memorial Drive from the Waco Veterans Affairs hospital to Valley Mills Drive.

$294,000 to build a new swimming pool at the Bellmead community center.

$246,000 for the Brazos River Authority to study the effects of population growth on water supply in the Middle Brazos water basin.

$658,000 to help Baylor University finish a physical sciences laboratory used by at least 20 research groups.

$146,000 for Texas State Technical College to buy equipment and increase capacity for manufacturing workforce training.

$121,000 for Waco's AVANCE Early Childhood Intervention and Family Support Program to assist 300 families from at-risk, low-income households with parenting education, early childhood development, and ESL and GED classes.

$97,000 for Baylor University Language and Literacy Center speech pathologists to assess the relationship between language and reading.

The appropriations bill also includes language requiring the Government Accountability Office to conduct a cumulative emissions impact study on Central Texas Coal plants.

It also set aside $357,000 for a Fort Hood - Texas A&M University program to revegetate 30,000 acres disturbed by artillery.

Brazos Valley tallies $41 million in earmarks

econnor — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:09:42 -0700

Saturday, December 29, 2007

BV tallies $41 million in earmarks

The Bryan College Station Eagle

By JANET PHELPS |Eagle Staff Writer

More than $41 million will be poured into Brazos Valley projects next year, thanks to earmarks by U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

President Bush criticized special project money as "wasteful government spending" when he signed the $555 billion bill Wednesday that funds the Iraq war into 2008 and keeps government agencies running through September.

The money will go to 16 projects in Brazos, Robertson, Madison and Grimes counties. The projects range from high-profile aerospace engineering and biofuel research at Texas A&M University to a small, church-based drug prevention program.

Edwards said Friday he was proud of the federal money he secured for local projects because it's an effective way to encourage local growth.

The Constitution gives Congress the power to make appropriations, he said, and earmarks allow local leaders to identify and receive funding for projects they see as important.

"I believe [locally initiated projects] make more sense than letting some bureaucrat in the Office of Management and Budget in Washington, D.C., make decisions about what projects to fund," he said. "I would challenge anyone to criticize agricultural research at A&M or emergency response training that help make our cities safer."

A majority of the $41.6 million will go to Texas A&M, including $985,000 for biofuels research and $705,000 for aerospace engineering projects that are used by NASA for lunar and Mars exploration.

Ken Peddicord, director of Texas A&M's Texas Engineering Experiment Station, said the funding is an important step in advancing research into new energy sources.

Texas A&M's BioEnergy Alliance -- a partnership between the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Texas Engineering Experiment Station -- has developed groundbreaking research in alternative fuels such as sorghum that do not come from food sources, he said.

"This money allows the program to strike off in new directions, to move away from corn and ethanol," he said.

St. Joseph Health System also received money for repairs to its Madisonville hospital.

Gentry Woodard, director of legislative affairs and grants for the St. Joseph Health System, said employees at the 57-year-old hospital have volunteered on weekends to make repairs themselves.

Edwards said the staff dedication is one reason he allotted $117,000 to pay for repairs to the roof and emergency room upgrades.

"It was terribly important to that community," he said.

The earmarks come on top of the 2008 defense appropriations bill that was signed into law in November, in which Edwards secured $6.8 million for Texas A&M defense projects and $2.6 million for Lynntech Inc.

Other local earmarks include:

$392,000 to repave County Road 172 in northern Grimes County.

$196,000 to make improvements to Collard Street in Madisonville.

$376,000 to improve communication technology equipment at the Navasota Police Department.

$12.5 million to train emergency first responders at the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center at Texas A&M.

$2 million to fund research at the Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute at Texas A&M.

$21.9 million to 23 farming, forestry and animal health research programs at Texas A&M.

$1.39 million to provide anti-terrorism training to educators and local law enforcement through the Texas Engineering Extension Service's Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training program and Texas A&M's Project Protect.

$588,000 to Brazos Valley Transportation Management Center to study local traffic solutions and plan for future growth.

$150,000 to Project Focus, a drug- and alcohol-abuse prevention program at Shiloh Baptist Church in Bryan.

Edwards Secures $3.2 million for Johnson County projects

econnor — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:11:31 -0700

December 21, 2007
Bill would bring $3.2 million home

Cleburne Times Review
By Matt Smith|Staff Writer

The final 2008 federal appropriations bill includes funding for four Johnson County projects: $1.9 million for the next phase of improvements at Ham Creek Park, $492,200 for a new water tower in Grandview, $188,000 for the county's drug task force and $588,000 to widen Alsbury Boulevard in Burleson. President Bush is expected to sign the bill, which the House passed Monday and the Senate passed Tuesday, soon, said Josh Taylor, communications director for U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

"I'm grateful that Congress has approved my request for additional funding to continue the important work of reopening Ham Creek Park to the public for the first time in 23 years," Edwards said.

Congress appropriated $900,000 toward the park's renovation in 2006 and $1.2 million in 2007. The Johnson County Commissioners Court agreed to fund park maintenance and operation costs once U.S. Army Corps of Engineers workers complete renovations. The $1.9 million will fund the project's final phase, which includes building campsites, roads and parking areas.

"I'm just tickled to death Edwards worked to secure the funding, and Congress passed it," said R.C. McFall, Johnson County Precinct 1 commissioner. "This is going to be a real good thing for everybody and a great place for parents to take their kids. I've never worked on any project this positive where all the city councils and chambers of commerce signed on and supported it so strongly."

McFall said he expects final renovations to take about 18 months to complete.

Growing Grandview

A water tower is needed to spur Grandview's development east of Interstate 35, Grandview Mayor Jack Orr said.

"Absolutely, this is wonderful news," Orr said. "We need to get facilities on the other side of the interstate so we can get development going over there and, hopefully, increase our tax base."

The water tower and a newly constructed sewer plant and planned sewer outfall line should help encourage residential and business development, Orr said.

"I want to salute Mayor Jack Orr and former Mayor Brandon Wright, who emphasized the importance of this project to me," Edwards said. "I was pleased that we were successful in securing the funding because an adequate water supply is essential to the quality of life of Grandview."

Continued fight against drugs

Stop the Offender Program Special Crimes Unit Cmdr. Adam King thanked Edwards, McFall, District Attorney Dale Hanna and other officials for securing funding for the task force.

"I'm just very excited," King said. "They saw a need and worked diligently to secure the funding. And that money is going to go a long way toward protecting and serving the citizens of Johnson County."

McFall agreed. "We'd just be in a terrible mess if we didn't have that program and funding for it," McFall said.

County officials created STOP SCU in 2005 after similar state-wide programs were disbanded due to lack of funding. The undercover joint law enforcement agency battles illegal drugs and other crimes throughout Johnson County.

"These funds will help our law enforcement officers curb the spread of illegal drugs in Johnson county and help keep our children safe," Edwards said.

Better driving in Burleson

The bill also includes $588,000 to widen Burleson's Alsbury Boulevard. The project also includes installation of underground drainage and sidewalks from Cathy Drive to 1,700 feet south of Shaftstall Road.

"Improving roads for Burleson citizens is important for continued economic growth and easing congestion," Edwards said.

The money will partially fund the projects, Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter said.

"We're really excited about the funding," Shetter said. "It's a key to our development. The big thing for us is that this helps move our transit-oriented-development district along, which is the area around our future commuter rail site. It's all about sustainable development. People think you run the trains and development occurs, but it's better to have development and people already in place."

Funds allocated through the appropriations bill might make more money available for the project, Shetter said.

Local company opens water-testing lab

Kat — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 11:09:19 -0700

March 24, 2006
Local company opens water-testing lab

Waco Tribune Herald
By Mike Copeland | Tribune-Herald business editor

People wearing white laboratory coats were all over 316 Kelly Drive on Thursday morning. So many that one might have thought a Frankenstein movie was being shot.

But the men and women wearing the coats won't be screaming, “It's alive!” Instead, they'll be plotting to kill or keep out things that contaminate water supplies.
A local company, ACT-I, has opened a new lab to help protect the drinking water of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The lab also can serve cities, water supply companies or private industry, ACT-I officials announced during a ribbon-cutting Thursday attended by dozens of local leaders.

In about a year, “it will be one of less than two dozen certified laboratories in the U.S. capable of testing for both 'crypto' and the new more stringent EPA arsenic limits,” said Harold Rafuse, a managing director and co-owner of ACT-I, which stands for Advanced Concepts and Technologies International.

Crypto is short for cryptosporidium, an organism that can contaminate water supplies. It is highly resistant to chlorine and infected 400,000 people in Milwaukee in 1993.

The city of Waco has its own water-testing lab, but it is not certified by the Environmental Protection Agency to perform testing for cryptosporidium. So water samples have to be sent to a lab near Buffalo, N.Y., with which the city has a contract through September 2008. Down the road, that testing could be done at the new ACT-I laboratory.

But the city and ACT-I could collaborate on other projects in the meantime, said Ricky Garrett, Waco's utility director.

“We periodically do non-EPA-mandated work, trying to stay ahead of the curve on quality issues,” said Garrett. “We wouldn't hesitate to contract with them if the need arises. They have good, quality analysts.”

People wearing white laboratory coats were all over 316 Kelly Drive on Thursday morning. So many that one might have thought a Frankenstein movie was being shot.

The lab also can serve cities, water supply companies or private industry, ACT-I officials announced during a ribbon-cutting Thursday attended by dozens of local leaders.

Crypto is short for cryptosporidium, an organism that can contaminate water supplies. It is highly resistant to chlorine and infected 400,000 people in Milwaukee in 1993.

But the city and ACT-I could collaborate on other projects in the meantime, said Ricky Garrett, Waco's utility director.

Editorial: Whitney Victory

Kat — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 12:26:18 -0700

July 13, 2005
Editorial: Whitney Victory

Waco Tribune Herald
By Editorial Staff |Tribune-Herald

Energized citizens, responsive officials, satisfactory result

It appears that the problem with Walling Bend Park is that it is too popular.

Too beautiful, with great access to Lake Whitney for picnicking and swimming.

So popular it is, believe it or not, that the Army Corps of Engineers proposed shutting it down. That would mean less hassle, lower maintenance costs, and particularly less need for law enforcement in dealing with parties that sometimes get out of control.

To deal with a projected budget shortfall and hefty proposed budget cuts, the Corps proposed closing the park.

What a hideous idea. Not only would it hurt the people who use it, but closure would hurt the businesses that rely on those visitors.

And the notion of having something so special – built with public funds – shut off from the public should offend all senses.

Fortunately, alarmed citizens stepped forward to press the case to keep Walling Bend Park open. They collected 1,200 signatures.

But they did more than get angry. They got engaged. In particular, they got Congressman Chet Edwards involved in the matter. Last week after meetings with Edwards, Corps officials announced that funding would be available to keep the park open.

More than that, they announced a collaborative effort between the Corps and local citizens to make the most of the park and to cut down on unnecessary expenses.

It is encouraging that these citizens didn't just hit a brick wall and have to deal with bureaucrats who would pass the buck.

“The process worked,” said Jo Ann Mulhausen, owner of Lakehaven Bed and Breakfast. “We're thrilled that the democratic, American way of getting your voice heard worked.”

This is the second time in recent years that intervention by Edwards has worked to everyone's benefit in dealing with the Corps of Engineers.

Edwards came up with the idea, and the money in the budget process, to open to the public a new venue for recreation and for appreciating Lake Waco. His involvement made possible the Lake Waco Hike and Bike Trail, which has become a special attraction for a lot of people. Once opened, it gave the general public access never experienced before.

In these days there's a tendency to look at government as something apart from the people. That's a mind-set citizens need to shed. Sometimes they can't affect the tides, but often they can influence events by being active, constructive and smart.

That's apparently what turned the tide on Lake Whitney's popular park.

Edwards Announced $5 Million ...

Kat — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 12:17:39 -0700

June 25, 2005
Edwards Announced $5 Million For Bosque Clean-up

Waco Tribune Herald
By MATT JOYCE |Tribune-Herald staff writer

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards on Friday announced his goal for a Bosque River watershed clean-up effort fueled by federal funding, which until now has been directed at studying the issue.

"It's important to study the water problems at Lake Waco, but I'm excited about moving forward in actually funding water projects," said Edwards, D-Waco.

Edwards said $5 million in recently authorized funding could go to a range of initiatives to improve the watershed and Lake Waco drinking water.

Possible projects include building wetlands along the North Bosque River, which would help filter out nutrients that contribute to excessive algae growth in Lake Waco, and making improvements to the Waco water treatment plant.

The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee authorized the funding this week as part of the Water Resources Development Act. If passed by the House, the funding would then need to be attached to a spending bill, either in 2006 or 2007.

"Now that the initial authorization hurdle has been cleared, I will work closely with my colleagues on the appropriations committee to fund this important plan," Edwards said.

Under the authorization, funds would be distributed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which would coordinate the clean-up efforts with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service, local interest groups and Texas A&M University's Texas Water Resources Institute.

"This new authority is designed to allow stakeholders, farmers and cities alike, to kick the tires on innovative projects that have tangible results for everyone," Edwards said.

The authorization's short-term plan calls for identifying projects to address specific needs in the watershed, according to a news release. The plan's long-term goals call for maintaining environmental improvements, the development of a watershed agriculture council, and implementing four demonstration projects involving dairy producers, rural landowners and municipalities.