Congresswoman Matsui Remarks on the 2014 Energy & Water Appropriations Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Remarks on the 2014 Energy andamp; Water Appropriations Act
Expresses concerns with energy cuts; Reiterates call for WRDA bill
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, spoke on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives about the 2014 Energy andamp; Water Appropriations Act. Her remarks, as prepared for delivery, were:
"My district of Sacramento is one of the leading clean energy economies in the country. The sharp cuts to clean energy initiatives in this bill are deeply troubling. It will no doubt hurt American innovation and American jobs, particularly as other nations continue to invest in clean energy technologies. It is also not reflective of an all of the above energy strategy that our nation desperately needs!
"At the same time, this bill addresses some of the important flood protection priorities for my district. Sacramento is the most at-risk metropolitan area for major flooding, as it lies at the confluence of the American and the Sacramento Rivers. We have a great deal at risk. As the home of the State Capitol and half a million people, a major flood event in Sacramento would have economic damages up to $40 billion.
"I am pleased that this bill includes nearly $70 million in funding for Sacramento's flood protection priorities, including more than $66 million to continue construction on the Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project.
"The bill also includes funding to continue operations at the West Sacramento port.
"In addition, the bill includes report language, which I requested, expressing concern with the Corps current levee vegetation policy. Sacramento is ground zero for the impact of the Corps vegetation policy. Instead of a one-size fits all solution, the Corps should consider regional variances and local input, as called for under bipartisan legislation I introduced H.R. 399, the Levee Vegetation Review Act.
"The bill also includes report language expressing concern with the Corps decision to end its Section 104 crediting policy, which has halted flood protection projects from moving forward, including one in West Sacramento. To further address this, Congressman LaMalfa and I introduced bipartisan legislation, H.R. 2293, the Flood Control Credit Act.
"Moving forward, we must also be cognizant that there are other much needed public safety projects that remain unfunded and un-built due to a lack of a WRDA bill.
"We urgently need to improve America's crumbling levee infrastructure.
"In Sacramento, my constituents have taxed themselves twice, and $350 million of construction work is well underway for the Natomas Levee Improvement Project, all while awaiting Congressional authorization for over two years since receiving a Chief's Report from the Army Corps of Engineers.
"On May 15th the Senate passed a robust WRDA bill with clear bipartisan support of 83-14.
"It is my sincere hope that the House will soon follow suit. We cannot wait until the next disaster that will take lives and wreck our economy. This is a bipartisan issue that must be addressed immediately in Congress!"
###