Successes

A sampling both from Key Advocates, Inc. and work performed by the Principals while at Federal Advocates, Inc.:

FAST Act (2016 highway/transit law)

      • Secured funding for DOT FastLane grants, TIGER and TIFIA funding, etc.

Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN 2016)

     • Secured establishment of a new $50M grants program for recycled water projects

DOT Grants

  • U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Grants – secured $150 million in discretionary grant funding including the largest Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) I and II grant awards and $15M in the TIGER VI awards.

SAFETEA-LU (2005) 

  • U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Grants – secured $150 million in discretionary grant funding including the largest Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) I and II grant awards and $15M in the TIGER VI awards.
  • $162 million secured for the Virginia Port Authority for construction of the Heartland Corridor
  • $125 million secured for the Alameda Corridor East Expansion, California
  • $100 million secured for the Port of Long Beach for replacement of the Gerald Desmond Bridge
  •  $100 million secured for the State of New Jersey for construction of the Liberty Corridor
  • $50 million secured for International Falls, Minnesota for widening of Highway 53
  • $36 million secured for the City of Antioch, California for widening of the SR4 Highway
  • $14 million secured for the States of New Mexico and Texas for relocation of rail lines from El Paso, Texas to Santa Teresa, New Mexico
  • Additional $100 million secured for various Member’s High Priority Projects

Moving Ahead for Progress Act of 2012 (MAP-21)

  • Secured $500 million authorization in FY13 for Projects of National and Regional Significance
  • Secured separate funding category for rail grade crossing projects
  • Secured $1.7 billion for the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program (TIFIA) for project loans and loan guarantees

Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)

  • Worked firsthand on the WRDA’s of 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1996
  • Developed language in WRDA 2007 to authorize $750 million for the eastward expansion of Craney Island at the Port of Virginia at 50/50 cost share as opposed to the traditional 80/20
  • Secured $115 million authorization for the Middlesex District (NJ) wastewater treatment facility in WRDA 2007

Annual Appropriations Process

  • Energy and Water – over $150 million secured for Corps of Engineers operations and maintenance projects, general investigations, studies, and construction projects; and for U.S. Bureau of Reclamation recycled water projects
  • Transportation, Housing and Urban Development – over $50 million secured for various transportation, housing and urban development, and economic development projects
  • Interior and Environment – over $25 million secured for the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
  • President’s Budget – secured nearly $50 million in budgets submitted by Presidents Bush and Obama for various client projects

Policy Issues

  • SAFETEA-LU 2005 – developed language that provided $6.6 billion for Projects of National and Regional Significance
  • Federal Aviation Administration – developed language for the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009 that urges the application of Qualifications-Based Selection to airside projects funded by Passenger Facility charges
  • CARBIO – secured approval from the Environmental protection Agency for the exportation of biodiesel fuel from Argentina to the U.S.
  • Clean/Safe Drinking Water Reauthorization – developed language for inclusion in H.R.1262, the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009 (as passed by the House), and S.1005 (as reported by the Senate) which requires the application of Qualifications-Based Selection to the Clean Water/Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Funds; and also developed language on eligibility for, and the funding of, the Clean Water/Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
  • Water Resources Development Act of 2007 – developed language to authorize funds for the eastward expansion of Craney Island at 50/50 cost share as opposed to the traditional 80/20
  • Moving Ahead for Progress Act (MAP-21) – fended off efforts that would have adversely impacted a client’s program which monitors truck traffic via interstate weight stations; worked on various freight issues, including a truck size and weight study; and, averted motor vehicle recall requirements
  • Water Resources Development Act of 2013 – secured language in the Senate-passed bill providing for the transfer of certain property related to the development of Craney Island
  • Environmental Protection Agency – pursued approval to allow for the importation of biodiesel fuel to the United States; secured an exception to permit the entry of foreign motor vehicles to the United States for the purpose of transporting a commercial air vessel; and secured approval for various biodiesel generating facilities
  • Ports – secured a favorable decision by USDOT that State funding for ports could include inland ports
  • Motor Vehicles – fended-off efforts by Congress to require certain information be made public by auto auction companies; averted efforts in MAP-21 with regards to recall requirements; and secured exemption of auto dealers from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; secured passage by the House of Representatives of legislation rescinding certain guidelines that adversely impact the auto industry