On July 20, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations approved its fiscal year (FY) 2018 energy and water development appropriations bill, which provides $142 million for ARC’s nonhighway programs. The total includes $70 million for ARC’s regular program; $50 million for the POWER Initiative to help communities that have been adversely impacted by changes in the coal industry and power sector; $16 million for a program of industrial site and workforce development in Southern and South Central Appalachia, focused primarily on the automotive-supplier and aviation sectors; and $6 million for a program of basic infrastructure improvements in economically distressed counties in Central Appalachia.

The House Committee on Appropriations approved its FY 2018 energy and water development appropriations bill on July 12. It contains $130 million for ARC, including $70 million for ARC’s regular program; $50 million for the POWER Initiative; and $10 million to continue a program of high-speed broadband deployment in economically distressed counties in Central Appalachia that have been most negatively impacted by the downturn in the coal industry.

Full House consideration of the legislation is expected the week of July 24.