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Congresswoman Kaptur Announces Federal Award To Develop Overland Industrial Park Strategy

helene@dcsonthehill.com (Helene) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:46:26 GMT

Congresswoman Kaptur said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Toledo $200,000 to help develop an area-wide strategy to develop the Overland Industrial Park in conjunction with the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority.

“This award demonstrates the federal commitment to helping make the Overland Industrial Park a successful engine for job growth in our city,” Congresswoman Kaptur said.

Toledo was one of only 20 projects across the country to share in the EPA’s $4 million Brownfields Area-Wide Planning program, which seeks to help communities develop abandoned and potentially contaminated waste sites.

Congresswoman Kaptur noted that recent announcement that Airgas will construct the first new building on the 111-acre site and create 25 new jobs.

“The Overland location, with improved interchange access off I-75, represents a win-win for all stakeholders," said Congresswoman Kaptur. "This public-private partnership can help us reuse this prime property at the most-travelled nexus in our entire Northwest Ohio region."

With assistance from Congresswoman Kaptur and the USEPA, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority acquired the historic property in 2010.

The city will conduct community involvement activities, existing conditions research and also brownfields site reuse planning that will lead to a plan to help attract businesses.

EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

Congress, with Congresswoman Kaptur's support, passed the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act in 2002 to help communities around the country clean up and revitalize sites. Under this law, EPA provides financial assistance through competitive grant programs for site assessment, cleanup, area-wide planning, and job training.

“The area-wide planning approach recognizes that revitalization of the area surrounding the brownfield site is critical to the successful reuse of the property as cleanup and redevelopment of an individual site," said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. "The locally-driven planning process will help the commuinity create a shared vision for and commitment to revitalization.”

The federal EPA launched the program in 2010 to adopt a broader approach to existing brownfields grant programs. Since its inception, EPA brownfields investments have leveraged more than $19 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the investment of federal funding has leveraged more than 87,000 jobs from both public and private sources.

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Toledo and Lake Erie Western Basin Will Be Added To Urban Waters Federal Partnership

helene@dcsonthehill.com (Helene) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:44:20 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Toledo is one of 10 communities that will be added to a major federal initiative aimed at revitalizing urban waterways, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur announced today.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Bob Persiacepe will make the official announcement tomorrow afternoon at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“Including Toledo in the Urban Waters Federal Partnership program is a big step forward for us,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “We worked hard to get our region included in this initiative because a healthy Lake Erie is vitally important to a healthy local economy.”

Kaptur said the Urban Waters Federal Partnership “dovetails perfectly” with the Western Lake Erie Basin Partnership concept that she promoted in 2005 to encourage cooperation between various entities in the watershed, including federal, state and local governments.

“We have the structure in place. Now we will have everybody at the table, working together to save Lake Erie,” she said.
Kaptur said the EPA will be the leady agency in a partnership that involves more than a dozen federal agencies, including the departments of Interior, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development.

Launched in 2011 in seven communities, the Urban Waters Federal Partnership coordinates federal efforts to improve the waterways such as the Western Basin in urban communities such as Toledo. The partnership also supports President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative aimed at making the federal government a better partner with communities that are working to provide safe, healthy and accessible outdoor spaces.

Two agencies have been added to the partnership as well: the Department of Education, which will connect school groups with their local waterways and prepare students for careers in science, and the Department of Energy, which will help communities accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies.

Also participating: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the Economic Development Administration; the U.S. Forest Service; the Corporation for National and Community Service; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences; and, the National Center for Environmental Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The heads of several federal agencies outlined the vision of the collaborative initiative.

“Since we launched the Urban Waters Federal Partnership two years ago, we’ve seen firsthand what the transformation of degraded urban waterways into clean, healthy and treasured centerpieces can do for local communities – not only from an aesthetic standpoint, but also from a public health and economic standpoint,” said Acting Administrator Perciasepe. “Restored urban waters can reinvigorate communities, and I am confident the new project locations will see the same success the Partnership’s efforts have already supported across the country.”

“Our waterways should be assets that communities can access and enjoy, especially in urban areas, where so many Americans live and work,” said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. “Through this innovative partnership, federal agencies are working together to focus their resources and expertise on revitalizing urban waterways and promoting the health and economies of surrounding communities.”

“Restoring urban waterways not only helps protect our water quality, urban parks and wildlife refuges, but also provides increased recreational opportunities that benefit residents and local economies,” said Deputy Secretary of the Interior David J. Hayes.

“Restoring these waterways is not only important for improving the water that we all depend on, but for spurring economic growth and creating recreational opportunities in these communities as well,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA has contributed $1.2 million in financial assistance to support these projects to date, and we will continue providing expert staff and technical assistance to help revitalize water in communities throughout the country.”

"The protection and revitalization of rivers and watersheds in urban areas not only demonstrates this administration's commitment to improving public health and restoring natural resources in urban communities, but also helps beautify and increase property values in neighborhoods that are being developed or revitalized close to urban rivers," said HUD Deputy Secretary, Maurice Jones.

These projects will further the goals of the partnership and address a wide range of issues such as improving water quality, restoring ecosystems and enhancing public access to urban waters. A progress report also released today details the successes and plans for future actions at each program location, as well as actions taken by each of the federal partners.

Americans use urban waterways as sources of drinking water and for a variety of activities including boating, fishing and swimming.

Revitalizing these urban waterways will reconnect citizens to open spaces, and have a positive economic impact on local businesses, tourism and property values, as well as spur private investment and job creation in communities.

The Urban Waters Federal Partnership was launched two years ago with pilot projects in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Denver, New Orleans and Northwest Indiana.

The 10 new project locations: Big River and Meramec River watersheds near St. Louis, Missouri; Delaware River Basin; Grand River (Michigan); Green-Duwamish, Washington State; Mystic River, Massachusetts; Martin Pena Canal, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Middle Blue River, Missouri; Middle Rio Grande, New Mexico; Passaic River, New Jersey; and Proctor Creek, Georgia.

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For more information: http://www.urbanwaters.gov

Congresswoman Kaptur welcomed Dr. Paul Hong and his wife, Ms. Sarah Hong, to the Capitol to hear the historic address by President Park Geun-hye.

helene@dcsonthehill.com (Helene) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:41:21 GMT

Dr. Hong, a business professor at the University of Toledo, was born in Korea. He was Congresswoman Kaptur’s special guest to the House chamber to hear President Park address the U.S. House and Senate on May 9.

President Park, the first woman president in Korean history, earlier conducted a summit meeting with President Obama.

During her speech to the joint session, President Park reiterated her demand that the government of North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons program. She said her country will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea.

Instead, she called for a new era of peace, envisioning the Korean Peninsula as a “test-bed for a future free of nuclear arms. If we can pull it off on the Korean peninsula, we can pull it off anywhere else.”

President Park said that during her visit to Washington, D.C. she had once again visited the Korean War Memorial in Washington. Its words, she said, always inspire her: “Our nation honors its son and daughters, who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.”

With that, she expressed “profound gratitude” to America’s veterans on behalf of the people of Korea. “Their blood, sweat and tears helped safeguard freedom and democracy.”

She said the 60th anniversary year of the U.S.-Korea alliance underscores the commitment of both allies to “help spread the universal values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law.”

Congresswoman Kaptur Speaks at Polish-American Conference on Science and Technology

helene@dcsonthehill.com (Helene) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:41:31 GMT

WASHINGTON D.C. - - Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur served as the keynote speaker at the 13th Polish–American Conference on Science and Technology being held in Washington, DC. The conference was organized by Ohio State University and the Institute of Aviation of Warsaw.

The purpose of the conference was to exchange ideas and to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Poland in the areas of innovation and high technology. Mike Benzakein, PhD, Director of the Propulsion and Power Center at Ohio State University, served as the conference host. He introduced Congresswoman Kaptur as the keynote speaker to the crowd of approximately 80 Polish and American dignitaries, scientists, engineers, civic leaders, and academics.

Congresswoman Kaptur, who is a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Poland, represents a large portion of Ohio’s 440,000 Polish Americans in the Ninth Congressional District, which stretches from Toledo to Cleveland. She told personal stories of her Polish heritage, family history, and trips to the region. Kaptur also outlined her continued support for collaboration between U.S. and Polish technology, defense, and engineering fields, and commended the Polish military for its contribution and sacrifice to the NATO military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Congresswoman Kaptur said, “The United States and Poland have had a long-standing relationship and I am excited for the future of the Polish-American technology community and its impact on both countries. The innovative ideas and collaboration that these scientific leaders provide will pave the way for our future.”

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Congresswoman Kaptur toured the NASA Plum Brook facility in Sandusky

helene@dcsonthehill.com (Helene) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:33:59 GMT

SANDUSKY -- Congresswoman Kaptur said current tests underway here illustrate the value of NASA's Plum Brook station to America's space program.

Congresswoman Kaptur viewed the fairing testing that is currently underway in Sandusky on the new Falcon Heavy, the most powerful rocket in the world.

Congresswoman Kaptur toured NASA Plum Brook with Stephanie Bednarek, government affairs representative for SpaceX, Jim Free, director of the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and David Stringer, Director of the Plum Brook Management Office at NASA Glenn.

"Clearly Plum Brook is a vital asset to our nation as we push the envelope and maintain our nation's lead in space technology," said Congresswoman Kaptur.

"I am so pleased that SpaceX and other companies recognize that Plum Brook has distinctive capabilities."

Congresswoman Kaptur joined NASA Glenn Research Center director Jim Free and officials from the SpaceX Corporation on a tour of Plum Brook's vacuum chamber, which is the largest in the world (122 feet tall and 100 feet in diameter).

California-based Space X recently conducted the second of 12 planned cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station, hauling mission-critical equipment to the station and returning with other material.

The Falcon Heavy rocket features a payload capacity almost twice that of the now-retired Space Shuttle

Congresswoman Kaptur Helps Mint, Community Launch New Quarter Featuring Perry Victory and Peace Memorial

helene@dcsonthehill.com (Helene) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:05:54 GMT

Large Crowd at Put-in-Bay Ceremony Celebrates
17th Coin in 'America, the Beautiful Quarters Program'

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2013 CONTACT: Steve Fought (703) 587-8165

PUT-IN-BAY – U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur today joined local officials and representatives of the United States Mint to unveil the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial quarter before a crowd of more than 600 at the Niagara Event Center here on South Bass Island.

“The quarter recognizes the unique role of Put-in-Bay in American history,” said Congresswoman Kaptur during the launch ceremony.

“Two hundred years ago this fall, Oliver Hazard Perry sailed out from here to engage the British and turn the tide in the 'War of 1812.' Now we celebrate two centuries of peace among the United States, Canada and Britain.

The newest quarter is the 17th coin released in the U.S. Mint's “America the Beautiful Quarters Program” and was released into circulation on April 1. Each year, the public will see five new quarters with reverse designs representing select national sites, with one final coin released in 2021. The Mint will issue these quarters in the order in which the honored site was first established as a national site.

"Today we celebrate a national park that is small in acreage but significant in American history, a memorial to those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812, a piece of Ohio and American heritage in a setting of extraordinary natural beauty," said J. Marc Landry, acting associate director for sales and marketing at the Mint. "It is easy to see why the (memorial) was chosen to be part of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program."

Also participating in the ceremony were Put-in-Bay Mayor Ruth Scarpelli and Blanca Alvarez Stransky, superintendent of the memorial. Greg Peiffer of WPIB/WPCR radio served as master of ceremonies.

“This is an extraordinary event, particularly this week,” said Kaptur. “There is a tremendous sense of unity and you can feel the strength of America.”

Kaptur, who represents Ohio’s Ninth Congressional District, including the Lake Erie islands, serves as ranking member on the Energy and Water subcommittee of House Appropriations.

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Kaptur Praises Ohio’s Chevy Cruze at Green Jobs Conference

helene@dcsonthehill.com (Helene) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:26:06 GMT

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur today addressed the BlueGreen Alliance’s annual summit on green jobs, focusing on the Chevy Cruze. The fuel-efficient Cruze is driving manufacturing in Ohio, at GM facilities in Parma, Toledo, and Lordstown, and steel plants in Cleveland and Lorain. Under new fuel-efficiency standards, cars like the Cruze save drivers money at the gas pump and reduce carbon emissions.

“The Cruze is a great success story in Ohio, creating new jobs for our workers and reducing our dependence on foreign oil that harms our economy and our environment,” said Kaptur. “I continue to support innovative efforts that create American jobs, particularly in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy.”

Congresswoman Kaptur is the ranking Democrat on the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees the energy innovation at the Department of Energy, including work on improved fuel efficiency.

The forum was hosted by Lee Geisse, a Cleveland steelworker and regional manager for BlueGreen Alliance. Joining Kaptur were local labor leaders Dave Green with the United Auto Workers, James Winship with the IUE-CWA, and Dan Boone with the United Steelworkers, as well as Rob McCulloch with BlueGreen Alliance.

Congresswoman Kaptur Welcomes EPA Budget Commitment To Fight Phosphorus and Nutrient Pollution

helene@dcsonthehill.com (Helene) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:52:07 GMT

'We Cannot Let Up--Lake Erie's in Trouble,'
Says Ranking Member on Energy and Water Subcommitte

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), ranking member on the Energy and Water subcommittee of House Appropriations, said today the Obama Administration budget reflects a renewed focus on addressing phosphorus and nitrogen pollution in America’s waters.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) budget identifies nutrition pollution as “one of the nation’s most widespread and challenging environmental problems.”

Congresswoman Kaptur welcomed a proposed $15 million increase in funding for water pollution control grants under Section 106 of the Clean Water Act.

"We can't let up," she said. "The fact is, Lake Erie's in trouble due to phosphorus and nutrient pollution. I am encouraged that the budget acknowledges the need to deal with this clear and present danger to our ecosystem.

“Northern Ohio is the most sustainable place on earth because of the confluence of arable land and the largest body of fresh water in the world. But it's directly threatened by nutrient runoff that produces harmful algal blooms.

“I look forward to working together with the Obama Administration and also the state of Ohio to address this serious challenge to the health of Lake Erie."

The increased funding will support states, interstate agencies and tribes that commit to strengthening nutrient management efforts. Additionally, EPA will work to achieve water quality improvements in key watersheds across the country in partnership with states and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In recent years, Kaptur spearheaded creation of the Western Lake Erie Basin Partnership, a pathbreaking freshwater quality and management effort thoughout the largest watershed that flows into the Great Lakes. The Partnership has taken a comprehensive approach to addressing nutrient runoff and other pollution issues and serves as a model organization for similar watershed management programs around the country.

EPA’s core clean water programs and grants support states in developing and implementing nutrient pollution reduction strategies. EPA also provides technical assistance and resources to help states develop water quality criteria for nutrients.

Kaptur said protecting the watershed from nutrient pollution could also reduce the need for treatment of drinking water, which is a considerable expense for communities in the Ninth District, including Cleveland, Lorain, Sandusky and Toledo.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Steve Fought, stevefought@yahoo.com, 703-587-8165

Congresswoman Kaptur Welcomes FAA Decision To Delay Closing Contract Towers

helene@dcsonthehill.com (Helene) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:22:50 GMT

TOLEDO – U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) today welcomed the announcement by the Federal Aviation Administration that it was delaying the closure of “contract” air traffic control towers, including Cuyahoga County Airport.

“It is the correct decision, considering the implications of the closures,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “It gives proponents additional time to make the case for the ‘contract’ towers.”

Congresswoman Kaptur said the threat of legal action by local officials around the country, including Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, clearly played a role in the FAA’s decision to delay the closures until June 15.

“I understand the difficult decisions required by the sequester, which I continue to oppose as bad policy,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “But facilities such as Cuyahoga County Airport are crucial pieces of the physical infrastructure—and that’s one of our calling cards as a region.”

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Congresswoman Kaptur Announces Federal Award Of $203,256 for Sheffield Lake Fire Department

helene@dcsonthehill.com (Helene) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:44:46 GMT

Funds Will Be Used to Purchase New Ambulance, Cot Loading System and New Cot

TOLEDO – U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) announced today that the Sheffield Lake Fire Department has received an award of $203,256 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The federal funds will be used to purchase a new ambulance and cot loading system as well as a new cot, according to Chief Timothy Card.

“Our first responders protect our families and property on a daily basis,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “They deserve all the help and support we can give them.

“Congratulations to Chief Card and Sheffield Lake for winning this competitive and highly sought-after award.”

The federal share of the award will be matched by five percent from the local community.

Kaptur, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, has been a strong supporter of the program and has voted to protect it from further budget cuts.

She said the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is an important component of an overall strategy to strengthen the nation’s preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards.

Since 2001, the program has provided approximately $5.25 billion to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and also training. During the current fiscal year, the program will award another $337.5 million nationally to first-responder organizations.

The 12-member Sheffield Lake Fire Department staff, which functions round the clock, boasts an average response time of four minutes. It was one of the first fire departments in Lorain County to provide paramedic services.

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