Weekly Column of U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander

July 8, 2007
“BETTER GAS MILEAGE, BIOFUELS GOOD FOR TENNESSEE AIR, JOBS”
Last week the Senate passed major legislation that would help reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, decrease air pollution, and create new jobs in Tennessee.
The CLEAN Energy Act, approved by a vote of 65 to 27, is the first time since 1975 that vehicle fuel economy standards have been increased. When the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard was created in 1975 for cars and light trucks in the aftermath of the Arab oil embargo, it resulted in a savings of 3 million barrels of oil per day.
The new Senate bill would raise fuel efficiency standards beginning in 2011. In 2020, the nationwide average fleet fuel economy standard for cars and light trucks would be 35 mpg, which by 2020 would remove 206 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere per year and save consumers nearly $25 billion at the pump (based on a cost per gallon of $2.55).
That represents real savings for America’s families, a better quality of life, and a much lower vulnerability to turbulence in the Middle East.
But the bill goes beyond simply requiring that manufacturers build more efficient vehicles. It also would increase the production of renewable fuels to at least 36 billion gallons by 2022 – that would result in a major boost to Tennessee agriculture and could reduce world oil prices by as much as $2.50 per barrel.
We have the resources one day to become the leader in the southeast to produce biofuel alternatives to foreign oil – from switchgrass, poplar trees, and other sources. This could create new sources of income for thousands of Tennessee farmers. Just this week, Oak Ridge was also selected as one of three sites to receive $125 million over five years to establish and operate one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s new Bioenergy Research Centers. In addition, Governor Bredesen’s Biofuels Initiative, a joint venture of the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is expected to create 4,000 new jobs our rural counties, provide $400 million in new state and local taxes annually, and generate about $100 million each year in new farm revenue.
The old CAFE system made little sense, given changes in the motor vehicle market over the past three decades. Its complex and outdated rules actually put American jobs at risk. The new regulatory structure will streamline the program, allowing manufacturers greater freedom to design and build vehicles that meet the needs of our drivers, without having to move overseas to do so.
Based on input from the automakers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will evaluate how to achieve the nationwide fleet average, and allocate each automaker its fair share of the burden. Consequently, automakers with large fleets of light trucks and SUVs will not be penalized or be forced to reconfigure their product lines.
The legislation mandates that the NHTSA use an “attribute” system in determining fuel economy standards. Using this authority, the NHTSA can tailor attainable increases based on the specific design characteristics of particular models of vehicles.
This should put to rest concerns about underpowered cars and trucks that can’t do what we need them to do. More importantly, it will help keep auto manufacturing jobs in the United State in general, and Tennessee in particular. That’s a win for everyone, except perhaps the oil magnates of the Middle East.
Editor’s note: This column originally appeared in the Tennessean.

USDA ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF $8.9 MILLION IN BROADBAND GRANTS



WASHINGTON, June 29, 2007 — Deputy Agriculture Secretary Chuck Connor today announced the availability of $8.9 million in grants for communities without broadband service to provide residential service and connect facilities such as police and fire stations, health care, libraries and schools.



“The Community Connect Grant Program has proved to be effective in reaching those rural communities where broadband service is least likely to be deployed,” Conner said. “Connecting residents and essential community facilities improves local services and the protection of the citizens of these communities.”



Grants are available to communities in the most rural, economically challenged areas where loans will not be sustainable. In Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, for example, no company had invested in providing broadband delivery to the community of 770 people. However, local businesses, schools and residents worked with the BitSmart Corp. to file a USDA Community Connect Grant, which was approved. Now, BitSmart has established wireless internet availability and an integrated system connecting law enforcement, health care providers, and school and government offices. Additionally, students in a business class at the high school are serving as BitSmart’s local operations staff.



“Providing community residents with access to the internet and training on how to use it helps rural citizens understand the benefits of broadband service and is one more economic development tool available through USDA Rural Development,” said Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr.



Applications for grants are due by close of business August 13, 2007. There is a minimum grant level of $50,000 and a maximum grant level of $1,000,000 for projects. The application guide for this grant program can be found at http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/ .



USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested more than $76.8 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.5 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

ALEXANDER SECURES DOLLARS FOR TENNESSEE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS

Announces Inclusion of Tennessee Projects in Commerce, Justice, and Science Spending Bill



WASHINGTON, D.C - U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) today announced that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill, which was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this week, includes significant funding for a number of justice programs across Tennessee.

“Tennessee law enforcement officials are working hard to keep the Volunteer state safe, and this legislation should help provide the resources they will need to continue to fight violent crime, gangs and drugs,” said Alexander, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Additional dollars we secured also should enhance law enforcement’s efforts to be better coordinated in growing communities.”

The FY2008 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill includes funding for the following projects:

- $2 million for the Memphis Regional Law Enforcement Project to combat an increase in violet crime and gang activity in the Memphis region, using resources from the City of Memphis, Shelby County and the University of Memphis.



- $350,000 for the Tennessee Statewide Methamphetamine Task Force to continue providing comprehensive training and integrated equipment, which will allow officers to more effectively report lab seizures, quarantine contaminated sites, and track and target serious and repeat offenders.



- $ 250,000 for Davidson County Mental Health Court initiative to help develop a much needed link between Nashville’s criminal justice system and the mental health community to better meet the needs of recovering individuals.



- $ 200,000 for Oak Ridge Law Enforcement Communications Project to specifically support a new umbrella communications system in the western portions of the City, where new population growth is the strongest.


The Senate version of the FY08 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill must now be considered by the full United States Senate.