From Virginia Congressman Scott Rigell

The Rigell Report: Washington Round Up


Dear Friend,

It was a busy week in Washington, and I want to share with you an update on some of the work that we are doing to serve you:

Advancing American Energy
Last week, the House voted AGAIN to open up America’s energy resources in an environmentally responsible way.  Unfortunately, the President is standing between the 18,000 jobs that could be created from Virginia’s coastal energy and the struggling unemployed or underemployed Americans who need those jobs.  He has a full-stop moratorium on our off shore energy.  We can, we must, and we will offer Americans every opportunity to succeed in this great country.

Cutting Regulations and Red Tape for Small Businesses
The House passed a bill last week to provide regulatory relief and cut red tape for our nation’s small businesses.  The answers to our nation’s most challenging fiscal issues begin with letting entrepreneurs do what they do best: innovate, build businesses, and create jobs.  I know from personal experience that the best thing the government can do for these hard-working Americans is to get out of the way!

Holding Government Accountable at Every Level (Auditing the Fed)
We must hold every aspect of government accountable for the way it spends our tax dollars.  That is why I co-sponsored and the House passed a bill last week to require a full audit of the Federal Reserve.  Like so many Americans, I find it deeply troubling that the Fed has not been audited since its inception in 1913.  It is time for that to change.

Speaking Out About the Massive Defense Cuts
I had the privilege last week to speak from the floor of the House of Representatives about the defense cuts that will affect each and every American if they are allowed to happen.  I look forward to joining Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Kelly Ayotte at a public townhall in Norfolk on Monday about this very subject.  If you can, please come out and share your concerns about what effect these drastic – but avoidable – cuts will have on our nation and our region. There is still sufficient time for us to come together and do what is right: find the common ground to counter these defense cuts with other federal savings.

As always, I appreciate your concern for our nation, and I encourage you to leave feedback for us on our Facebook page.

Mindful that I work for you, I remain,

Yours in Freedom,

Scott

Eastern Shore Virginia Get First Turbine Testing Facility

Representative Scott Rigell

Rigell Applauds Governor McDonnell's Efforts to Bring First U.S. Wind Turbine Test Facility to Virginia's Eastern Shore

Washington, Oct 13 - Collaborative project first of its kind

Washington, DC, October 13 – Representative Scott Rigell (VA-2) commended Governor Bob McDonnell on the announcement of a project to establish a facility for the testing and certification of large offshore and land-based electricity-producing wind turbines on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The collaborative project, called Poseidon Atlantic, would be the first such test facility in existence, and the initial phase of the project is to be developed in Northampton County.

“I’m thrilled that this project is going forward for the Commonwealth, the country, and particularly for the Eastern Shore of Virginia,” said Rigell, who represents the Eastern Shore, Virginia Beach, and parts of Hampton and Norfolk. “As a nation, we must achieve energy independence, and wind energy technology carries with it extreme potential to address the energy challenges our great country faces today.

“Here in Virginia’s Second Congressional District, we’ve known for some time about the incredible opportunities – and jobs! – that wind energy can create. We are so excited to have this forward-looking project find a home in our district.”

Beyond creating jobs directly on the Eastern Shore, the development of the commercial wind turbine test center in coastal Virginia would capitalize on the unique maritime advantages provided by the Port of Virginia. Hampton Roads is well-positioned to provide marine construction, fabrication and supply-chain support to the offshore wind industry.


The Poseidon Atlantic project is a private-sector initiative developed by the companies Real NewEnergy, Fugro and Ecofys, with the support of the Commonwealth, the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) and the Netherlands government. The proposed facility is intended for full-service testing and certification of existing-and-next generation land-based and offshore wind turbine generators.

Source;  http://rigell.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=264158

No Taxpayer Dollars Are Planned To Be Use In Tangier Barge Project

No taxpayer dollars are planned to be used in a project initiated by Congressman Scott Rigell to help ease erosion on Tangier Island.

In a conference call on Monday morning, Rigell said that as of now no taxpayer dollars will be spent. Rigell, along with Ron Mills of Bay Bridge Enterprises, Mayor James Eskridge of Tangier, and Town Council Member laid out the plan to sink barges on the Islands east side.

Mills said the barges that will be used are seaworthy, will have never been used to transport oil or other substances that could harm the environment, but can no longer be used for commercial undertakings.

The barges will be placed in strategic locations, sunk and then anchored. In the fall, the Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a dredging operation near Tangier Island. Mills said hopefully those involved in this project will be able to convince the Army Corps of Engineers to dump the spoils on and around the sunken barges.

Bay Bridge Enterprises will work in cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation will also be involved.

Rigell said this project will be complimentary with already existing projects to help erosion and it will help protect the jobs and livelihood of the watermen on Tangier.

Rigell hopes the project will be finished in 3 months, but said 6 months is a more realistic goal.

Source; shoredailynews.com

Con. Scott Rigell Opposes New Budget Extension

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to pass a measure to keep the government operating for three more weeks. The continuing resolution gave house members more time to negotiate a permanent budget.

Voting against the continuing resolution was Eastern Shore Congressman Scott Rigell. According to an article in the Virginian Pilot Rigell who supported a previous resolution said he opposed the new budget extension for two reasons. The government fiscal crisis is too important to put off, and he was hearing from military leaders that the short term budgets were hurting the militarys ability to make long-term plans to prepare and procure what it needs. Rigell said, The time is truly precious.

Prospects for an agreement are uncertain due to the insistence by House Republicans that any final agreement mixing steep spending cuts with various provisions including banning federal funding for Planned Parenthood and striking funds from Obama Care.

Source; www.shoredailynews.com

Rigell Announces Constituent Office Hours for Northampton County, Chincoteague

Congressman Scott Rigell has announced in addition to staff office hours in Accomac, members of his staff will be in Eastville the 3rd Tuesday each month to meet with constituents 9:30am noon.

Rigell will also have constituent office hours in Chincoteague on the second Wednesday each month at Town Office 9:30 am to noon.

Congressman Rigell urges the constituents to take advantage of these office ours to come in for assistance or just to express opinions or concerns.

www.shoredailynews.com