The following article is from the February 2007 issue of

Newly elected U.S. Representative Michael Arcuri (D-24^th District) was appointed to serve on major House subcommittees of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The subcommittees include: Economic Development; Public Buildings and Emergency Management; Water Resources and Environment; and Highways and Transit.

In a statement about his assignments, Arcuri said, "The committee's legislative priorities will help provide the resources we urgently need to improve our highways, prevent flooding, and develop infrastructure to create more jobs." Arcuri's assignments are a good fit for Central New York, as the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will focus on a host of initiatives that will impact residents. These include reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act, which deals with all major water and flood control projects; reauthorization of the State Revolving Fund under the Clean Water Act; transit and rail security; and global climate change.

In his first major environmental action, Arcuri sponsored and voted for the CLEAN Energy Act (H.R.6), which would increase federal investment in renewable energy, while repealing subsidies to big oil companies. He is also co-sponsor of H.R. 670 (introduced by New York's Eliot Engel) to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil through alternative fuels and new vehicle technologies. Arcuri has also laid out his list of concerns for Central New York, touching upon flooding and water management issues for the region.

Newsletter Issue

• Ecopolitics Monthly --- February 2007