PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) applauds funding for the University of Rochester OMEGA Laser Facility, the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP), and the Mount Morris Dam that are included in the FY20 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
“From making sure our remedial action sites are not harming residents, to expanding research opportunities for the University of Rochester, to funding the operation at the Mount Morris Dam, many priorities of Western New York are taken care of in this bill,” said Congressman Collins. “I applaud the Committee on Appropriations for understanding importance of each of these programs.”
Congressman Collins’ priorities that are in the FY20 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act include:
- $155 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) that includes the Niagara Falls Storage Site;
- $80 Million for OMEGA at the University of Rochester to expand their nuclear fusion laser lab facility; and,
- $3.604 Million for the Mount Morris Dam.
Congressman Collins led the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) appropriations letter to Chairwoman Marcy Kaptur and Ranking Member Michael K. Simpson requesting $150 million in funding for the program. The Appropriations Committee approved $5 million more than requested. The FUSRAP program clears remedial action sites from uranium, thorium, and radium, which can be hazardous to human health. Congressman Collins was also successful in securing $80 million for the nuclear laser lab at the University of Rochester to improve measurements and collect better data on the behavior of matter under extreme conditions. Finally, Collins was successful in obtaining $3.604 million for the Mount Morris Dam to provide funding for routine maintenance and operations.
Congressman Collins did not support the appropriations package as a whole for the unrealistic topline funding level that exceeded the current budget cap by $1.76 billion and with there not being consensus on a budget agreement for FY20.
All WNY is made possible thanks to coffee and sleep deprivation.
We appreciate your readership. We like money, too.
