Update on Lighthouse Legislation
By Sue Clark on Mar 27, 2009 in Updates 
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Although the secondary headline read Michigan, the bill introduced by Sens. Levin and Stabenow yesterday will actually be for the entire nation. It has been named as Senate Bill 715, and has now been sent to the Energy Subcommittee. Please write or email the following members of that committee with your support for this legislation. They will be the deciders of whether to keep the bill open, or to trash it.
- Mark Udall D-CO (Chairperson)
- Byron L. Dorgan D-ND
- Mary L. Landrieu D-LA
- Robert Menendez D-NJ
- Blanche Lincoln D-AR
- Bernard Sanders I-VT
- Evan Bayh D-IN
- Debbie Stabenow D-MI
- Richard Burr, R-NC
- John Barrasso R-WY
- Sam Brownback R-KS
- John McCain R-AZ
- Lisa Murkowski, R-AK
- Jim Bunning R-KY
- Bob Corker R-TN
And Senator Olympia J. Snowe, R-ME, a co-sponsor of this bill along with ME’s other senator, Susan M. Collins, released her press release on the bill today. Unfortunately, it has a glaring error in it. Maine does not now or never had 83 lighthouses. It only has around 63 lighthouses. Her press release on it:
U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) joined U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.) this week to introduce, S. 715, the National Lighthouse Stewardship Act, bipartisan legislation to create a three-year competitive grant program to be administered by the Department of the Interior that will help preserve and rehabilitate historic lighthouses across the country.
“In the state of Maine, we are fortunate to be home to 83 lighthouses. Each lighthouse tells a different story and is as integral to the history and narrative of our state as the magnificent landscapes on which they proudly stand,” said Senator Snowe, an original cosponsor of the bill. “By helping to provide the necessary resources to ensure our lighthouses are not damaged or lost, this legislation will not only preserve a significant component of our heritage, but also go a long way in helping to boost local tourism and spur job growth in our communities.”
Today, lighthouses across the country are maintained by non-profit historic societies, many of which are struggling in the recession. S. 715 would authorize $20 million for a three-year competitive grant pilot program that would provide funds to stewards of historic lighthouses to help them preserve and rehabilitate the lighthouses under their care.
Shame, shame, Sen. Snowe, for the lack of accuracy in this release. But a big thank you nevertheless for the co-sponsorship.
Also, you can keep track of this bill and its progress at the Government Tracking site.
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