WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Congressman Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., celebrated the final passage of their legislation, S. 7, the “NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act.” The bill reauthorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Enhanced Use Leasing (EUL) authority for one year. The program allows the space agency to lease underutilized properties, and to use the rent payments for capital projects and facilities maintenance. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County has EUL partnerships with Rolls Royce and New Cingular Wireless.

“The Enhanced Use Leasing program is a win-win for NASA facilities, including Stennis Space Center, and for the private companies, universities, and other organizations that make productive use of otherwise underutilized government property,” Wicker said. “It was great to work with Congressman Palazzo to get this important legislation to the President’s desk before the end of the year, when the program was set to expire.”

“Enhanced Use Leasing is a vital tool that promotes public-private ventures in support of NASA’s various missions while also facilitating investments in commercial space-related development,” Palazzo said. “The authority, set to expire December 31st, has been in place for over a decade and has enabled space centers across the country, such as Stennis Space Center, to reduce their operating costs, upgrade and repair their facilities, and ultimately improve mission effectiveness.”

Last week, S. 7 was passed by the U.S. Senate. The bill was cleared today by the U.S. House of Representatives. The one-year extension of EUL authority continues the program, while giving Congress time to consider a long-term reauthorization.