The USPS is considering the consolidation plan to make operations more efficient after reporting a loss of $3.8 billion at the end of its 2009 fiscal year in October.
“I commend the review commission for recognizing that the Scotia branch provides a valuable service to its residents and is part of the very fabric of the community,” said Rep. Tonko. “This branch is vital to the integrity of the village. People move to the Village of Scotia because the services are so close -- within walking distance -- and reliable. It doesn’t make sense to drive to downtown Schenectady to mail a parcel.”
Susan Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature, said: “We are very excited by the news that the US Postal Service has realized the historic significance and importance of the Scotia Branch Post Office to our Main Street business district. This branch will continue to provide a valued and vital service to the Village of Scotia and the surrounding community. It has been a community wide effort to save our post office, and I want to thank our Congressman Paul Tonko, the other members of our congressional delegation, and all those who fought so hard to preserve our Post Office and maintain the character of our community."
The updated USPS list now has 241 branches under review, including the Patroon, Pine and Delaware Post Offices in Albany. Just last week, Rep. Tonko and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called on the USPS to consider the impacts the potential closings would have on local communities, including pedestrian access and the negative economic consequences.
The updated list can be found by clicking this link: http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/stationbranchop.pdf
# # #
]]>“By fixing this system in a responsible way we are ensuring that our seniors have reliable access to their doctors and the primary care they need,” said Rep. Tonko. “Medicare is a lifeline for America’s seniors and this bill takes crucial steps toward strengthening it and providing the highest quality of care and benefits for our elderly. It’s a critical companion bill to the health insurance reform bill.”
This bill tackles seniors’ main concern – preventing pay cuts that could encourage doctors to stop seeing Medicare patients. It builds on the historic health insurance reform bill the House passed earlier this month, which will lower premiums, extend the solvency of Medicare, improve preventive and primary care for seniors, and close the “donut hole” drug coverage gap.
“This bill will lower costs and improve care for our elderly citizens. It’s a positive step forward for doctors and seniors in the Capital Region,” said Rep. Tonko.
###
]]>Today’s funding is being administered by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Water and Environmental Program, which provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.
The funding, which totals $1,357,000 in loans and $371,725 in grants, will install a new water tank and add a new filtration and dilution system. The current water tower was installed in the early 1980s but has encountered problems. It will also replace an 80-year-old cast iron pipe that has nearly been washed out on several occasions.
“It is more important than ever for elected officials to be able to deliver projects to our local communities, especially as budgets become tougher and tougher to balance,” said Rep. Tonko. “I am happy to announce this funding today for Fort Plain and hope that these loans and grants will enable the community to provide even better services.”
Congress passed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 earlier this year, which President Obama into law on Feb. 17, 2009. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. More information about USDA’s Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal government’s efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov.
“This bill provides critical funding to safeguard our homes, our neighborhoods and—first and foremost—our families,” said Rep. Tonko.
The bipartisan legislation authorizes a total of $2.2 billion a year in grants for local municipalities to upgrade crucial equipment and maintain adequate levels of personnel. It also makes it easier for local fire departments to access these critical funds by lowering matching requirements and modifying time commitments. It passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 395-31.
The bill reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The AFG program was created by Congress in 2000 because of concerns that local budgets were unable to handle the mounting responsibilities being assigned to the fire service. It provides funds to local fire departments to purchase equipment, vehicles, and training. Congress created the SAFER program in 2004 to help fire departments hire firefighting personnel and meet voluntary national consensus standards on safe minimum staffing levels. Both the AFG and SAFER programs are administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The bill authorizes $1 billion for the AFG program per fiscal year from FY2010 to FY2014 and apportions the AFG funding between the career, volunteer, and combination fire departments according to a formula that authorizes a minimum of 25 percent of each year’s total AFG dollars for each type of department. The bill authorizes an additional $1.2 billion per fiscal year from FY2010 to FY2014 for the SAFER program.
“Our local firefighters—whether they be career or volunteer—must have the best training and equipment at their disposal to keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Tonko. “State and local governments may be facing falling revenues and shrinking budgets, but they should never have to choose between adequately trained personnel and functioning equipment. This bill protects against that.”
The bill has the support of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the National Fire Protection Association, and the Congressional Fire Services Institute.
###
]]>ALBANY, NY – Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-21) will attend several events marking Veterans Day today and tomorrow. Here is the schedule:
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10th:
--Marine Corps Birthday Celebration
Time: Noon
Location: USS Slater, snow dock on the Hudson River
--US Postal Service Veterans Day Ceremony
Time: 1pm
Location: USPS General Mail Facility, 30 Karner Road, Albany
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11th:
--Veterans of Lansingburgh Annual Memory March
Time: 9am
Location: March begins at Troy City Hall
--Amsterdam Veterans Day Services
Time: 11am
Location: West End Memorial Park
--Gold Star Mothers of Albany Luncheon
Time: 1pm
Location: Joseph Zaloga Post #1520, 4 Everett Road Ext., Albany
--Disabled American Veterans, Veterans Day Service
Time: 230pm
Location: Rotterdam Town Hall
# # #
“I am pleased that we were able to act quickly, decisively and in a bipartisan way to pass this bill so we can get help to those Americans who have lost their jobs because of the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression,” said Rep. Tonko. “This extension will provide an immediate lifeline to those who have lost or who are on the verge of losing their unemployment benefits.”
This legislation will provide an additional 20 weeks of emergency unemployment compensation to 60,000 New Yorkers who have already run out of benefits, and another 30,000 who will run out by the end of the year. Extending benefits also helps stimulate local economies because the money will be spent on necessities -- items like groceries, gasoline, and mortgage payments.
This bill includes an extension of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit through April 30, 2010, and a $6,500 credit to new purchasers who have lived in their current residence for five years or more. It also increases the eligible income limits to receive these credits.
In addition, it will also help military families struggling with mortgage payments by making those payments tax exempt.
Rep. Tonko added: “This legislation takes immediate steps to help stabilize our small businesses and strengthen our housing market. These efforts will be crucial as we work towards improving our economic outcome, and putting the unemployed back to work.”
# # #
“These grants are an investment in innovative projects that will help us take advantage of a natural resource that can provide an energy solution that is clean and carbon free,” said Congressman Tonko. “The Recovery Act makes an unprecedented investment in clean energy technologies that will help promote research and development and to bring these new cutting edge technologies to market. Funding these projects will help create new green energy jobs, boost the economy, and create a better energy outcome for future generations. With the announcement of these awards the Capital Region and its mix of high-tech companies, universities and community colleges, and public-private investment has once again been recognized as a leader in creating clean energy solutions.”
Here is a list of the grants awarded in the 21st Congressional District:
--GE Global Research, Niskayuna -- $2,399,990 -- to develop high temperature components for a pumping system that can access deeper geothermal wells.
--GE Global Research, Niskayuna -- $3,000,000 -- to develop new technologies enabling recovery of geothermal energy from lower temperature heat sources using alternative fluids.
--GE Global Research, Niskayuna -- $3,439,991 -- to develop a high-tech sensor that can operate at the high temperatures and pressures needed for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). This will increase our understanding of what’s happening in high temperature environments in the subsurface and lead to more cost-effective ways to drill new wells.
--GE Global Research, Niskayuna -- $2,085,090 -- to develop an EGS-specific cable capable of accurate, real-time temperature, pressure, strain and vibration sensing in high temperature EGS environments.
--University at Albany -- $2,786,250 -- UAlbany will install a large geothermal heat pump system serving campus facilities.
“GE researchers will bring expertise in sensing, high temperature materials and energy systems to accelerate key advancements that are needed to expand geothermal power generation in the United States,” said Mark Little, Senior Vice President and Director, GE Global Research. “These projects illustrate the great depth and breadth of GE’s research capabilities. They also are a great example of how government and the private sector can work together to drive clean, sustainable technology solutions. I want to thank Congressman Tonko and the entire New York Congressional delegation for their support on these projects and the Research Center’s efforts to drive clean energy technologies.”
“The geothermal heating system funded by the Department of Energy will help the University at Albany reduce its energy costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately advance a more sustainable community,” said University at Albany President George M. Philip. “We thank Congressman Tonko for his leadership on this important energy reduction initiative and for all he has done to support UAlbany.”
Nationwide, these projects represent a dramatic expansion of the domestic geothermal industry, and will create or save thousands of jobs in drilling, exploration, construction, and operation of geothermal power facilities and manufacturing of ground source heat pump equipment. The grants will be matched with an additional $353 million in private and non-federal cost-share funds.
The Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Program works in partnership with industry to establish geothermal energy as an economically competitive contributor to the U.S. energy supply. There is more information available about the awards and Geothermal Technologies Program available on DOE’s website at http://geothermal.energy.gov
# # #
]]>Funding for this grant is from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and is part of $3.4 billion in grants for Smart Grid technology being announced today by President Barack Obama. The grants will fund a broad range of projects that will ease the nation’s transition to a smarter, more efficient and reliable electric system. The Recovery Act grants will be matched by industry funds for a total public-private investment worth more than $8 billion.
“As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which I voted for earlier this year, we invested in the future of America’s energy grid and energy technology,” said Rep. Tonko. “This single largest investment in the Smart Grid in our nation’s history shows the boldness and leadership of President Obama on an issue that is critical to our nation’s security and economy.”
The grant will partially fund a $75.7 million program to create a statewide Phasor Measurement Network across the high voltage grid which would improve NYISO’s ability to detect problems and avoid potential blackouts. The project would also include the installation of capacitors to improve the control and coordination of voltage on the grid, which would increase efficiency and decrease the amount of power that is lost during transmission. NYISO estimates the capacitor project would conserve electricity and save New York ratepayers $9.7 million per year on their electric bills.
NYISO President and CEO Stephen G. Whitley said: “These investments will help to energize New York’s economy by introducing technology that will improve the efficiency and stability of the state’s power grid. I want to thank everyone involved in helping with such an important project for the state, it has been a real team effort. The savings from the efficiency improvements will pay for the project in a matter of years.”
Rep. Tonko added, “I am glad to announce that the New York Independent Systems Operator will receive over $37 million from this investment. These funds will allow NYISO to allow area-wide control, and an open, flexible, interoperable, secure, and expandable communications system that will work in concert with the existing control and monitoring systems. This announcement is a huge leap towards advancing bold, progressive energy policy in our country.”
In addition to the NYISO grant, Consolidated Edison Company of New York has been awarded $136 million to deploy a wide range of grid related technologies which will also result in more efficient use of electricity.
# # #
]]>The rally is part of an international day of action calling for world leaders to take fast and effective action to combat global warming. The rally in Albany is one of more than 2,000 events being held in over 140 countries.
WHO: Congressman Paul Tonko
WHAT: Speaks at the Day of Climate Action rally
WHEN: Saturday, October 24, 2009 starting at 2pm
WHERE: West Capitol Park, Albany
# # #
]]>“Casimir Pulaski was one of the great heroes of the American Revolution,” said Rep Tonko (NY-21). “He was a dedicated freedom fighter who deserves the highest recognition the United States can give to an immigrant war hero. I am honored to join with other Members of Congress to help enshrine his memory with honorary posthumous citizenship.”
General Pulaski left his native Poland and fought on the side of the colonists against the British in the American Revolution. George Washington bestowed the rank of brigadier general on Pulaski, who organized a legion of cavalry known as the Pulaski legion. Pulaski is credited with being the ‘Father of the American Cavalry.’
He famously said, “I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.” After fighting bravely at Brandywine and ejecting the British occupiers from Charleston, Brigadier General Pulaski was mortally wounded in Savannah, Georgia and was taken aboard the American ship USS Wasp, where he died at sea on October 11, 1779.
Rep. Tonko spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday in support of the bill. “General Pulaski lent his military expertise to more than just his motherland. Streets, roads, bridges and monuments bear his name, one of which is the Pulaski Memorial Bridge in my hometown of Amsterdam, NY, which is a reflection of the greatness of this individual. The Polish-Americans of this land, throughout it history, have made immense contributions for the betterment of America.”
Congress has previously granted honorary U.S. citizenship posthumously only five times, most recently to the Marquis de Lafayette in 2002. Lafayette was a Frenchman who, like Pulaski, fought courageously on the side of America during the Revolutionary War.
# # #
]]>]]>
Rep. Tonko said: “While we have regional differences from the Northeast to the Midwest to the West Coast, one thing is clear: the dairy industry in our country is facing a crisis. We must continue to take action that will enable so many, in our region, to continue their livelihood. The current business model on a dairy farm means that the more milk you produce, the more dollars you lose. The business model is broken and the Secretary committed to both helping distribute timely aid in the short term and enhancing the way the industry does business in the long term.”
The economic downturn has caused a worldwide decline in demand for milk and other dairy products, leading to a glut on the market. As a result, the price received by many mid and small-sized dairy farmers has been less than the cost to produce dairy products, causing many farms to shut down and leaving many others in jeopardy of following suit.
“We can’t allow our local dairy farms to shut down – not only are they a major economic engine for our region, they are woven into the very fabric of many small communities. We need to provide short-term assistance to help them get back on their feet, and then fix the bigger problems that lead to the market becoming so horribly unbalanced.”
Earlier this week, negotiations between the House and Senate produced a $350 million dollar emergency aid package that will be added to the Department of Agriculture Appropriations Bill. $60 million of that aid will be used to purchase cheese and other dairy products and distribute them to food banks and other nutrition programs for the needy. The remaining $290 million will be used to help offset the losses felt by economically stressed dairy producers.
Congress will consider the Department of Agriculture Appropriations bill in the next couple of weeks.
“We need to keep health care accessible and affordable for everyone, but most of all for our seniors,” said Rep. Tonko. “It would be a mistake to penalize some Medicare enrollees with an unfair increase as they struggle to make ends meet in this difficult economy. This bill restores fairness to the system and provides seniors with the affordable care they deserve.”
Under current law, Medicare Part B premiums must cover 25 percent of the program’s cost. For 73 percent of enrollees, the yearly increase in premiums cannot be more than the cost of living adjustment for Social Security. Because of the recession, the Social Security cost of living adjustment for next year is projected to be zero, which means nearly three quarters of Medicare Part B enrollees would be held harmless and would not see an increase in premiums.
However, the other 27 percent of enrollees are not held harmless, and would see premiums increased disproportionately from $96 per month to $110-$120 per month. These include low-income individuals who are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, higher income Medicare beneficiaries, new Medicare enrollees, and enrollees whose Medicare premiums are not deducted form their Social Security checks.
This bill would extend the hold harmless policy to all Medicare Part B enrollees, and none would see their premiums raised.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill’s cost at $2.8 billion for 2010; it is fully paid for and meets PAY-GO requirements using financing from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which can be used to pay for improvements in Part A and B benefits.
]]>
Congressman Tonko also invited Leah Penniman, a biotechnology and environmental sciences teacher at Tech Valley High School in Rensselaer. Ms. Penniman, who was a founding director of the Harriet Tubman Free School in Albany, has been recognized as a teacher of excellence in 21st century teaching and learning by the New Tech Network of Schools. Ms. Penniman also trains other teachers and has provided professional development at national conferences.
“Leah Penniman represents what will be the critical link between students and a new innovation economy; that is, teachers who can spark and speak to the hearts and minds of our children, who are the driving force of our future. Teachers like Leah will be the lynchpin of our students’ creative abilities and knowhow in the global economy, as we compete against nations such as China, Japan and Germany for intellectual capital and cutting edge technology.”
“I am honored to welcome President Obama to Upstate New York. It's not every day that you can say the President of the United States is coming to your community,” said Rep. Murphy. “I came to Washington to work to create jobs and turn our economy around, and now as we work to lead our nation along the path toward economic recovery, I am proud to show how Upstate New York is a part of the solution by quickly becoming a world leader in hi-tech jobs.”
###
]]>“This bill will take us in the right direction in terms of creating a renewable energy infrastructure that will help power our future energy needs and wean us off our gluttonous dependence on fossil fuels,” said Rep. Tonko. “We need to make sure that we develop renewable technologies that are as safe, reliable, and energy efficient as possible. The program created by this bill will do just that.”
The bill requires the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program of research and development to improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and capacity of wind turbines; optimize the design and adaptability of wind energy systems; and reduce the cost of construction, generation, and maintenance of wind energy systems. Specifically, this program would include:
The bill would also create a demonstration program to measure wind energy performance that would include the full range of wind conditions across the country. That data would be then used as part of the research and development program. It also requires that the demonstration programs be conducted in collaboration with private industry.
The bill authorizes $200 million dollars per year from 2010 through 2014 for these programs.
Rep. Tonko added: “Government can play an important role in advancing renewable energy technologies by serving as the bridge that will get the best ideas from the drawing board to reality, and grow our innovation economy. This bill does just that by providing the necessary investment to help private industry perfect wind energy, and bring those advances in technology and cost savings to market.”
Wind energy currently makes up 2% of the total energy generation in the United States, but there is the potential for it to provide up to 20% with the right improvements in turbine technology, forecasting, energy storage, and expansion of transmission systems.
]]>