Chet Edwards For Congress - Hill County

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.

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.

Chet on the Radio: For Hill County

Kat — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 22:16:35 -0700

Chet Edwards has been there for Hill County when it matters most.

Click the "play" button

Hard Work. Results. That’s what Chet Edwards stands for.

Chet Edwards has been there for Hill County when it matters most. Chet Edwards has worked hard to bring our fair share of tax dollars back home, to make life a little better for us, and for our families.

It’s Chet Edwards who secured eight hundred thousand dollars to improve traffic on Loop three – eighty in Whitney and he has brought home millions to improve I thirty five. And Chet Edwards has fought to improve parks at Lake Whitney for our families. As a father, Chet believes deeply in the promise of education.

That’s why he secured the funding for the Gear Up program in Hillsboro, to help Hill County youth prepare for college and a better future.

Chet Edwards. Independent. Effective. For us. Because he’s one of us.

And that’s why Chet Edwards for Congress is proud to have paid for this message.

Working Hard for Hill County

Kat — Mon, 29 May 2006 23:00:05 -0700

Working Hard for Hill County

Chet Edwards has worked hard for the people of Hill County since he was first elected to the Texas Senate in 1982. As the Congressman for the 17th District of Texas, Chet has used his seniority and seat on the House Appropriations Committee to bring some of Hill County residents' tax dollars back home.

Since the beginning of 2005, Chet has secured a total of $4 million for vital road, water and airport improvements projects in Hill County.

Economic Development through Better and Safer Roads

Chet secured $800,000 for to expand Loop 180 in Whitney from FM 933/ FM 1713 to FM 933 South. This project will improve traffic flow through rapidly-growing Whitney and the surrounding areas.

Protecting the Quality of Water for Hill County Families

Chet secured $940,000 remove flood debris and make repairs to damaged facilities at Lake Whitney after the flooding in Central Texas last summer, including repairing camp sites, picnic sites, restrooms, swim beaches, playgrounds, boat ramps, courtesy docks as well as park water, sewer and electrical infrastructures.

Chet secured $300,000 to upgrade Kimball Bend Park at Whitney Lake to a Class A campground. Kimball Bend Park includes existing ruins of the old town of Kimball, and an original Chisholm Trail crossing of the Brazos River. The park will provide visitors with a multitude of recreational and cultural opportunities and provide positive economic benefits for the Bosque County area.

Chet has secured a total of $1.2 million for Baylor University to study Lake Whitney salinity levels, the first step in considering Lake Whitney as an alternative source of drinking water for Central Texas.

Chet secured $500,000 for the City of Hillsboro for wastewater and sewer infrastructure improvements.

Promoting Economic Development in Hill County

Chet secured $300,000 to upgrade Kimball Bend Park at Whitney Lake to a Class A campground. Kimball Bend Park includes existing ruins of the old town of Kimball, and an original Chisholm Trail crossing of the Brazos River. The park will provide visitors with a multitude of recreational and cultural opportunities and provide positive economic benefits for the entire Bosque, Hill, and Johnson County area.

Chet secured $200,000 for development of the Hillsboro Airport industrial park, which will help provide infrastructure to attract news businesses and jobs to Hill County.

Helping Students Stay in School and Reach Their Potential

Chet has secured $600,000 for the GEAR UP program, run by the Region 12 Education Service Center in Hillsboro. This program is a comprehensive, collaborative initiative focused on preparing at-risk students academically and socially for college. The program, which covers Hill and Bosque Counties, is designed to result in an increase in students who pursue advanced and who will continue their education beyond the high school level.

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.