On June 19, the U.S. House of Representative passed the FY 2020 Energy & Water Development Appropriations Act, which includes $170 million for ARC in the forthcoming fiscal year (the highest non-highway funding in ARC’s history).This appropriation includes $50 million for POWER, $10 million to continue a program of broadband deployment in distressed counties in Central Appalachia, and $10 million for projects focused on workforce reentry strategies for Appalachians in long-term recovery from substance abuse disorder. The balance will fund ARC’s regular programs. These are the same funding levels recommended by the House Appropriations Committee in May 2019.

Senate action remains pending.