In order to ensure even greater transparency in the oversight of congressionally directed spending items, Senator Inhofe is making information available on funding sought for the Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations bills on his website. Senator Inhofe has a proud record of ensuring funding for roadway and military infrastructure, hospitals and schools, among other important investments, is brought back to Oklahoma. Importantly, each of Senator Inhofe's requests requires authorizing authority. It is important to note that if not for congressionally directed spending, the money would still be spent, but under the direction of the Executive branch. As demonstrated in 2007, the most recent time Congressional directed funding was not used, the Executive Branch and unelected bureaucrats cannot be relied upon to meet Oklahoma's priorities like Oklahoma's elected officials.
If anyone has questions with any of these requests, please contact Senator Inhofe's office.
AGRICULTURE REQUESTS
· Animal Waste Management
Ø Organization: Oklahoma State University
Ø Amount Requested: $500,000
Ø Purpose: This initiative will continue to focus on developing sustainable, environmentally safe, and ecologically healthy animal waste management practices in semiarid ecosystems that contribute to economic development in rural communities. The research team at OSU will also focus on a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to animal waste management in semiarid ecosystems by addressing all aspects of the waste stream from livestock diet through waste treatment, land application and impacts to the semiarid ecosystem
Ø Justification: This area is one of the most concentrated regions of cattle, swine and crop production in the United States. Federal funding for management of animal waste is essential for development of economical, sustainable, and environmentally prudent waste management practices for the animal industry in this semiarid region. Short-term results of this funding will reduce costs of production of livestock and make the region more competitive in the global economy, quantify the impact of livestock production on income and employment, develop cost effective dietary strategies to dramatically reduce excretion of nutrients and improve air emissions, improve air and water quality by improving efficiency of livestock diets, improve sustainability through improved livestock waste application methods, and reduce nutrient loss into the environment by improving utilization. Long-term benefits of this project will be the development of sustainable, environmentally safe, and ecologically healthy animal waste management practices in semiarid ecosystems. Twelve jobs for students trained in sustainable agricultural disciplines will be created by the current proposal.
Ø Authorization: CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) was created by the combination of the USDA’s Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) and Extension Service (ES) into a single agency. This was authorized by the 1994 Department Reorganization Act (Public Law 103-354, 10/13/94) The purpose of CSREES is to advance knowledge for agriculture, environment, human health and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations.
· Employer Assisted Housing Program (EAH)
Ø Organization: Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc.
Ø Amount Requested: $500,000
Ø Purpose: The funding will be used to continue this program which helps employers attract and retain a strong, reliable workforce by providing qualified employees with the opportunity to become homeowners. Through the EAH program, employers develop a benefit plan to help eligible workers with the purchase of a home. REI matches the employer’s homeownership benefit up to $2,500 per family/individual.
Ø Justification: In 2008, financial impact from all down payment and closing cost assistance programs administered by REI totaled $24,108,511 providing assistance to 257 Oklahoma families. There is a strong need for employers across the state of Oklahoma to be able to retain and attract a solid and reliable workforce within the communities in which they operate. Through its established partnership with Oklahoma employers, REI is able to provide qualified employees with the opportunity to become homeowners and give them a vested interest in the communities in which they live. Home ownership generates countless tax dollars and other revenue dollars to local, regional and state economies. REI’s EAH program is statewide. It is estimated that 100 jobs will be created by this project.
Ø Authorization: The Rural Development Policy Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-355) named USDA as the lead federal agency for rural development. Rural Housing Service (RHS) - USDA’s three rural development mission agencies are Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service. Through the Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program account established by the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 (P.L. 89-117), the USDA Rural Housing Service today, as with the Farmers Home Administration in the past, insures and guarantees a variety of housing loans for home purchases, repair, and rental housing development. Grant programs under the RHS are authorized by Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C., Chapter 8A) and include programs for rental housing and individual home ownership.
· Expanded Wheat Pasture
Ø Organization: Oklahoma State University
Ø Amount Requested: $360,000
Ø Purpose: The purpose of this initiative is to develop science and technologies, uniquely adapted wheat varieties, decision-support economic models, and extension education programs to increase profitability of the many dual-purpose wheat (i.e., wheat grain and stocker cattle) enterprises in Oklahoma and the southern Great Plains, and to strengthen the economies of rural communities.
Ø Justification: The prospects for winter wheat pasture greatly influence the market for most of the fall-weaned beef calves in the United States. The short-term impact and benefits of this research and education program include development of science and technologies, uniquely adapted wheat varieties, decision-support economic models, and extension education programs to increase profitability of the many dual-purpose wheat enterprises (i.e., wheat grain and stocker cattle) in Oklahoma and the southern Great Plains. The long-term goal is to strengthen the economies and sustainability of rural communities in Oklahoma and the southern Great Plains. Annual income in Oklahoma could be increased by $91 million by improving the technical efficiency of production of the 1.5 million stocker cattle that are grown to heavier weights on wheat pasture prior to being finished in feedlots.By increasing profitability and growth of dual-purpose wheat enterprises, this project contributes to sustaining (a) the livelihood of wheat and cattle producers, (b) the economic viability of grain elevators and cooperatives throughout the state and region, and (c) jobs associated with allied industries such as the fertilizer, herbicide, feed, animal health, trucking, and marketing industries, etc. Therefore, this project impacts hundreds of thousands of jobs in the southern Great Plains.
Ø Authorization: CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) was created by the combination of the USDA’s Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) and Extension Service (ES) into a single agency. This was authorized by the 1994 Department Reorganization Act (Public Law 103-354, 10/13/94) The purpose of CSREES is to advance knowledge for agriculture, environment, human health and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations.
· Food Safety Research Center
Ø Organization: Oklahoma State University
Ø Amount Requested: $2,347,500
Ø Purpose: This research initiative will develop rapid and efficient methods for detecting and controlling food borne pathogens throughout the food supply chain from farm to table. This is a priority for ensuring safety of the nation’s food supply. The team will specifically focus on methods to control Escherichia coli in cattle and Salmonella in swine, develop new rapid methods for detecting food borne pathogens, and improve cultural methods for detecting Campylobacter jejuni in foods. The project itself hires and trains graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and industry personnel, who do the work of the project, interact with the greater food industry and trade groups where grassroots education occurs, new practices are implemented, and where current local, county, state and regional manufacturing is stabilized.
Ø Justification: The project is focused on helping industry find solutions to prevent food borne illness and food safety recalls, both of which place an enormous economic burden on the U.S. population in terms of health care costs, food costs, and productivity. The short term impact of this project is enhanced knowledge about the methods and means to increase the safety of the U.S. food supply. This project conducts research and testing to develop rapid and efficient methods for detecting and controlling food borne pathogens and toxins throughout the food chain from point of origin to consumption. The long term impact is increased safety of the food supply in the United States through well-trained industry personnel and the implementation of new food safety science and technology. When new practices from the funded research are implemented in manufacturing, hundreds of jobs are stabilized and created. The immediate result will be the impact to create new jobs for 10 to 100 people for each year the project is funded.
Ø Authorization: CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) was created by the combination of the USDA’s Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) and Extension Service (ES) into a single agency. This was authorized by the 1994 Department Reorganization Act (Public Law 103-354, 10/13/94) The purpose of CSREES is to advance knowledge for agriculture, environment, human health and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations.
· Green Fuels from Algae Projects
Ø Organization: University of Tulsa
Ø Amount Requested: $2,500,000
Ø Purpose: For the last two years, the University of Tulsa (TU) has been working with Sapphire Energy, a startup company headquartered in San Diego, CA. to develop algae as a source of green fuels. The University of Tulsa has contributed to the overall project by identifying the best compounds to target so that strains of algae can be engineered to yield compounds that have potential for conversion to fuels that are the same as fuels currently obtained from crude oil. Four patent applications have already been filed based on TU’s collaborative work. TU has also demonstrated the process of converting algae oils into gasoline. University of Tulsa’s algae research program could be enhanced by supporting several algae-to-fuels projects. They have identified five specific project areas that require additional development: (1) algae growth mechanisms and kinetics, (2) optimization of the catalytic conversion process, (3) optimization of the fuel conversion reactions, (4) Process simulation, and (5) directed evolution of algae. Over the course of the 5-year project, TU expects to fund 10 Ph.D. level students, 30 post-doctoral researchers, and 50 undergraduate research students.
Ø Justification: Green fuels have become a national priority against the backdrop of volatile energy prices from politically unstable regions of the world. Current renewable fuels, such as ethanol from corn or other food crops or biodiesel from vegetable or animal oils, are seriously flawed either technically, economically or both. Making fuels from algae is rapidly becoming recognized as possessing significant potential for avoiding these pitfalls. Another benefit these fuels offer is that the ultimate algae products are gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel that utilize our current fuel distribution and utilization infrastructure. This project will also provide a significant talent pool from which to spawn further entrepreneurial activities in alternative fuels in the Tulsa area, as evidenced by the long history of entrepreneurial activity of the chemical engineering alumni from TU.
Ø Authorization: CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) was created by the combination of the USDA’s Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) and Extension Service (ES) into a single agency. This was authorized by the 1994 Department Reorganization Act (Public Law 103-354, 10/13/94) The purpose of CSREES is to advance knowledge for agriculture, environment, human health and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations.
· Integrated Production Systems
Ø Organization: Oklahoma State University
Ø Amount Requested: $320,000
Ø Purpose: The project investigators conduct research to develop and refine crop management techniques that enable environmentally sound and economically feasible production of alternative crops that will best utilize natural resources as they produce organically grown vegetable crops and crops for the bio-fuel industry. The research and educational program includes organic production practices, pest management strategies and weed control using organically approved practices and chemical agents. The work is conducted at the Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Lane, Oklahoma.
Ø Justification: The research proposed complements other programs such as Farm-to-School, School-Lunch, and Buy-Local programs. The national school lunch program fed 30.5 million children in 2007. This program will create opportunities for farmers to provide locally grown organic and traditional vegetable crops to school children. It will promote the sale of locally grown, nutritious vegetables to schools and will thus improve nutrition for American children. It will provide educational contacts between school children and farmers, which in the long term will encourage children to pursue careers in food production. It will promote long-term environmental quality and economic sustainability by encouraging practices such as the use of legumes for nitrogen fixation in the soil. This project will be used to directly provide support for 6-10 research technicians, graduate students, and student assistants. In addition, we anticipate that over 1,000 farmers in Oklahoma and over 50,000 farmers in the USA will maintain their jobs or obtain new jobs, and increase their incomes because of research generated by this project.
Ø Authorization: CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) was created by the combination of the USDA’s Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) and Extension Service (ES) into a single agency. This was authorized by the 1994 Department Reorganization Act (Public Law 103-354, 10/13/94) The purpose of CSREES is to advance knowledge for agriculture, environment, human health and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations.
· Pilot Technology Transfer Program
Ø Organization: Oklahoma State University and Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc.
Ø Amount Requested: $400,000
Ø Purpose: This research initiative provides technology transfer services and engineering assistance to small rural manufacturers, with the goal of improving their profitability and thereby sustaining wealth-producing industries in rural communities. It includes the Technology Transfer Project, which supports an integrated extension program that works closely with OSU Applications Engineers, the Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence, and Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. The focus is on providing a suite of relevant, high quality, and timely services to small manufacturers so that they can more effectively compete in the marketplace.
Ø Justification: The jobs associated with the manufacturing sector are considered to be critically important factors in America’s economic recovery. Many small manufacturing firms are located in rural areas and are extremely important to their local economies. The Oklahoma State University Technology Transfer Project provides support to a team of engineering professionals that deliver focused technical assistance to small manufacturers across Oklahoma. During FY 2008, this program provided more than 4300 hours of direct engineering assistance to more than 100, mostly rural, manufacturers that employ thousands of individuals. In 2008, nearly 400 jobs were either created or retained. In 2007, the total was about 430 jobs. These figures are based on data provided by the manufacturers themselves.
Ø Authorization: CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) was created by the combination of the USDA’s Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) and Extension Service (ES) into a single agency. This was authorized by the 1994 Department Reorganization Act (Public Law 103-354, 10/13/94) The purpose of CSREES is to advance knowledge for agriculture, environment, human health and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations.
· Preservation and Processing Research
Ø Organization: Oklahoma State University
Ø Amount Requested: $400,000
Ø Purpose: This initiative focuses on developing integrated cropping, harvesting, handling and processing systems to support growth of the horticulture and related agriculture industries in Oklahoma and the southern U. S., with the overall goal of maintaining and improving profitability for Oklahoma horticultural and related agricultural industries.
Ø Justification: Preservation of quality crops are increasingly dependent on economically sound technological improvements in order to supply domestic markets and improve our ability to compete in international commerce. Short term impacts involve graduate training and involvement in associated projects, providing opportunities for education and experiential learning in cutting edge integrated production, harvesting, handling and processing systems. Bio-sensors, storage systems and extraction processing technologies have resulted in new business development and industry-university cooperative programs in the county and state and are expected to continue to spur business and economic development for the state and region. Continued expansion of the joint ATEP (Ambient Temperature Extraction Partners) research and development project will locate a ‘state of the art’ piloting/small scale commercial production center in the state, providing new value added processing capacity for both in-state and out-of-state crops and agricultural products. 15 to 20 initial jobs will be created. If this technology is commercialized, approximately 1,000 jobs would be created.
Ø Authorization: CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) was created by the combination of the USDA’s Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) and Extension Service (ES) into a single agency. This was authorized by the 1994 Department Reorganization Act (Public Law 103-354, 10/13/94) The purpose of CSREES is to advance knowledge for agriculture, environment, human health and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations.
· Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDC)
Ø Organization: Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc.
Ø Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Ø Purpose: The mission of the RRDCs is to enhance local and regional research and programming opportunities for universities, which will allow them to more readily, contribute to economic and business development in rural areas. Oklahoma is ready to expand its portion of the RRDC program to include business service offerings that would cover rural yet, non-farm related job development from new products program, affordable housing for residents in rural areas and small business financing including gap-financing for new innovative products.
Ø Justification: Federal funding for the expansion of the RRDC program will help to help reduce the backlog of viable projects that are deserving of funding. The national economy depends on rural businesses to deliver goods and services to businesses in the region and worldwide. Federal investments in these rural businesses, is a solid investment in the national economy. It is estimated that 100 jobs will be created by this program.
Ø Authorization: CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) was created by the combination of the USDA’s Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) and Extension Service (ES) into a single agency. This was authorized by the 1994 Department Reorganization Act (Public Law 103-354, 10/13/94) The purpose of CSREES is to advance knowledge for agriculture, environment, human health and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations.
· Rural Entrepreneur and Micro-Enterprise Assistance Program
Ø Organization: Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI)
Ø Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Ø Purpose: REI is requesting federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Microenterprise Program to support REI’s Intermediary Re-lending program (IRP), which it uses to provide technical and financial assistance to sole proprietorships and small rural businesses with a particular focus on businesses with five or fewer full-time employees. REI works with the USDA to carry out its mission to help low and moderate income individuals acquire the necessary skills to establish small rural businesses and technical and financial assistance in Oklahoma.
Ø Justification: REI uses Rural Development funds to make loans to small businesses in communities with a population of 25,000 or less. The purpose of the revolving loan program is to assist businesses unable to obtain conventional financing. Loan amounts range from $20,000 to $150,000 and may be utilized for real estate, construction, renovation, leasehold improvements, machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, inventory, working capital, refinance or business acquisition. REI’s partnership with the Rural Development Administration allows the two entities to combine their resources, expertise and experience to benefit so many Oklahoma small businesses. The diversity of businesses assisted over the years include retail shops, service industries, machine shops, motels, franchise restaurants, medical clinics, assisted living centers and many other small businesses. It is estimated that 35 jobs will be created by this project.
Ø Authorization: Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) - The Rural Development Policy Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-355) named USDA as the lead federal agency for rural development. USDA’s three rural development mission agencies are: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service. Under RBCS, grant programs are available for rural businesses such as the Rural Business Opportunity Grants which are used for economic planning and technical support and training for rural businesses, and Rural Cooperative Development Grants which permits multi-year grants for rural cooperative centers. Both of these programs were reauthorized through the 2008 Farm Bill (P.L.110-246).
· Southern Plains Range Research Station
Ø Organization: Woodward Industrial Foundation
Ø Amount Requested: $975,000
Ø Purpose: This funding will be used to provide for two scientists for a three year period to support the previously completed Phase I and II expansion at the Southern Plains Range Research Station (SPRRS) and to establish the SPRRS as the Center for Warm-Season Grasses Research in the south central United States.
Ø Justification: There are no Research Centers currently located in the Southern Plains Area. The goal is to establish and develop a center for Warm Season Grasses Research at the SPRRS which would result in improved plant materials and management alternatives for sustainable stewardship of rangelands and pastures in the Southern Plains. The Center would also provide a focused effort in native and introduced warm-season grass research to address issues with biofuels feedstock production and forage based livestock production in the Southern Plains of the US. Research has established the benefits of warm-season grasses to the environment, biofuels feedstock production, and food production.
Ø Authorization: Congress first authorized Federally-supported agricultural research in the Organic Act of 1862, which established what is now USDA. ARS (Agriculture Research Service) was established by the Secretary's Memorandum 1320, supplement 4, November 2, 1953 and is now one of four agencies in USDA's Research, Education and Economics (REE) mission area. The others are Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES), Economic Research Service (ERS), and National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provide information access and dissemination to: ensure high-quality, safe food, and other agricultural products; assess the nutritional needs of Americans; sustain a competitive agricultural economy; enhance the natural resource base and the environment, and provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole.
· Sun Grant Initiative (SGI)
Ø Organization: Oklahoma State University
Ø Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Ø Purpose: The nationwide, congressionally authorized Sun Grant Research Initiative develops biobased products, many having industrial applications, which will stimulate renewed economic activity particularly in rural areas. This is a national initiative through the Land Grant University System which is comprised of Cornell University, Oklahoma State University, Oregon State University, South Dakota State University, and the University of Tennessee. Each center will enhance its existing research and education programs in biobased product development and utilization and will also administer competitive grants programs within a designated region. The mission of the SGI is to; (1) enhance America's national energy security through development, distribution and implementation of biobased energy technologies, (2) promote diversification and environmental sustainability of America's agriculture, and (3) promote opportunities for biobased economic diversification in America's rural communities.
Ø Justification: The SGI broadens the role of land-grant universities to conduct research and educational program that emphasize bio-based renewable energy. Results will include improved national energy security, environmental remediation, and economic diversification. SGI now supports and coordinates research in bio-energy through 90 projects in 37 states. Several federal agencies have connected with the SGI centers in order to access land-grant expertise in the fields of bioenergy. Today, SGI is effectively collaborating with the US Departments of Transportation, Energy, Defense, and Agriculture. Research conducted through the SGI will lead to new technologies and innovations. The resulting new intellectual property will be protected and commercialized through private industry in order to benefit the nation’s economy. Land-grant-based research will be directly connected to student training and higher education, resulting in an educated workforce for bio-based industries.
Ø Authorization: The National Sun Grant Initiative was reauthorized in Sec. 7526, Title VII, of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law No: 110-246), for research, extension, and educational programs on biobased energy technologies and products.
· University Center for Biomass-Based Energy
Ø Organization: Oklahoma State University
Ø Amount Requested: $1,200,000
Ø Purpose: A Consortium of three universities (Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma, and Mississippi State University) is developing a unique gasification-fermentation process that utilizes all of the plant biomass, including the lignin, to produce liquid fuel. This bioconversion process has a greater net energy gain and significantly lower cost of production than the standard corn starch fermentation process. The ultimate goal of this research is to move this bioconversion process to commercialization. Funds from this special grant will be used to improve the sustainability and cost effectiveness of the process leading to the establishment of bioenergy conversion facilities across the U.S.
Ø Justification: Short-term impacts resulting from the completion of these objectives include preparing stakeholders, from the local community level to decision makers at the state level, to assess opportunities and implement strategies to attract bioenergy production industries. Long-term impacts include the establishment of small to large-scale biorefineries throughout Oklahoma improving the communities’ economies, especially in rural settings. Over 250 jobs will be created for and directly related to each 50 million gallons per year (MGY) of cellulosic biorefinery. Additional jobs will be created in the goods and services sector in support of each facility. Economic impact resulting from each 50 MGY plant is estimated at over $40 million per year.
Ø Authorization: CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) was created by the combination of the USDA’s Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) and Extension Service (ES) into a single agency. This was authorized by the 1994 Department Reorganization Act (Public Law 103-354, 10/13/94) The purpose of CSREES is to advance knowledge for agriculture, environment, human health and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations.
