WASHINGTON – The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill providing funding for energy and water projects important to Mississippi, Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker announced today.  The bill will now be submitted to the full Senate for consideration. 

“I am pleased the Appropriations Committee has recognized the needs that exist in Mississippi for energy development and water maintenance,” Senator Cochran said.  “These funds will enhance flood control measures in Mississippi and allow our state to continue the important research and development projects that are being conducted at our state universities.” 

Senator Wicker said:  "The infrastructure improvements and energy projects included in this bill will benefit Mississippians across our state.  This bill supports the important economic development work the Appalachian Regional Commission and Delta Regional Authority are conducting to help build a better quality of life for all Mississippians."

The bill includes $20,000,000 for the Delta Regional Authority, which provides assistance to economically distressed areas in eight states along the Mississippi River. 

“The Delta Regional Authority is important to the livelihood of many living in Mississippi,” Sen. Cochran said.  “I am pleased we were able to provide DRA with the funding it needs to continue to provide assistance to economically disadvantaged citizens of our state.” 

$85,000,000 is provided for the Appalachian Regional Commission.  The ARC works with residents of Appalachia to create opportunities economic development.

Items specific to Mississippi are listed below. 

Energy

• $10,500,000 for the Sustainable Energy Research Center at Mississippi State University. 
• $2,000,000 for the CHP and Biofuel Application Center at Mississippi State University                                                            
• $1,200,000 for Gulf Hydrates Research at the University of Mississippi
• $4,000,000 for the Southern Regional Center for Lightweight Innovative Design at Mississippi State University.     
• $1,000,000 for Alternative Fuel Cell Membranes for Energy Independence at the University of Southern Mississippi              
• $650,000 for Contrast Media and Wound Closure Reduction Study at the University of Mississippi Medical Center                      
• $4,000,000 for the The Institute for Clean Energy Technology at Mississippi State University
• $31,507,000 for the Richton, MS Strategic Petroleum Reserve site 
• $500,000 for the Strategic Biomass Initiative, which is administered by the Mississippi Technology Alliance

Water 

• $5,000,000 for the Yazoo Backwater Project.
• $63,800,000 for construction of Mississippi River levees.    
• $16,400,000 for maintenance of Mississippi River levees.    
• $18,000,000 for the Mississippi (Section 592) wastewater program     
• $22,000,000 for the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway                     
• $7,500,000 for Pascagoula Harbor    
• $10,000,000 for the Port of Gulfport            
• $436,000 for Greenville Harbor         
• $424,000 for Vicksburg Harbor                
• $500,000 for Rosedale Harbor          
• $60,000 for the Claiborne County Port               
• $50,200,000 for the Mississippi River Channel Improvement Project