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U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) recently announced that he had advanced a request for federal funding in Congress for more than a dozen local projects throughout his district, including in the Tri-Valley.
The approximately $30.5 million in congressional funding for local projects DeSaulnier is seeking includes $8.2 million for several Tri-Valley efforts headed by the cities of San Ramon and Dublin, Zone 7 and the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority for environment, public safety, and transportation and infrastructure projects.
"Whether by lowering everyday costs for families, increasing access to public spaces, or by making our communities safer, these projects will each have a meaningful impact on the daily lives of people across our district," DeSaulnier said in the April 18 announcement. "I am grateful to our cities and local organizations for their advocacy and partnership in advancing these projects, and I will fight for them through each step of the process."
In San Ramon, the $2 million in requested funding would go toward a publicly owned and operated fiber-optic network throughout the city for use by residents and businesses along with city facilities, traffic signals and automated license plate readers.
"On behalf of the City of San Ramon, I would like to thank Congressman DeSaulnier for his support of our Intelligent Transportation System and Citywide Communications Infrastructure Project, which creates numerous opportunities to benefit residents and our business community through a citywide, publicly-owned fiber optic network," San Ramon Vice Mayor Mark Armstrong said.
LAVTA was identified for $2.5 million for a second hydrogen fueling tank that would expand the agency's capacity for fueling its bus fleet.
"The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority is thrilled that our Hydrogen Fueling Station Expansion Project is on the list for consideration as part of the United States House Appropriations Committee's Community Project Funding solicitation," said David Haubert, LAVTA board chair and Alameda County supervisor.
"This project represents critical infrastructure needed to operate future zero-emissions buses and to meet the growing transportation needs of Tri-Valley residents."
Zone 7's Chain of Lakes PFAS Treatment Facility project is among the five environmental projects proposed for congressional funding by DeSaulnier, who is seeking $3.5 million to advance the facility.
"Zone 7 Water Agency is thrilled to be considered for federal funding to construct a PFAS treatment facility at the Chain of Lakes wellfield. PFAS are a significant concern in our community and the treatment facility will help ensure continued access to safe and reliable water," Zone 7 General Manager Valerie Pryor said.
As one of the three public safety projects in the current list up for consideration, DeSaulnier is seeking to secure $198,000 for the city of Dublin's Situational Awareness Camera Project that would provide additional security cameras near the city's parks and schools.
"This money will help to fund new situational awareness cameras near our community parks and schools, which will ensure that Dublin Police have the necessary tools and technology to help reduce crime and keep our community safe," Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez said.
Selecting community projects and submitting requests for federal funding are the first steps in the process of securing funds via Congress, which are then subject to vetting by the House Appropriations Committee as part of the 2024 fiscal year appropriations process.
