Rep. Cole Announces Tinker, Air Depot Projects in Defense Bill

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole announced today that the House Armed Services Committee authorized $5.7 million for an electrical substation at Tinker Air Force Base during the full committee mark-up of the FY07 Defense Authorization Bill. During this mark-up, the committee also approved language offered by Congressman Cole to require at least six percent of the total revenue from public depots to be reinvested into a working capitol fund for modernization efforts.

"The bill reported out of full committee mark-up, includes important language to ensure Tinker Air Force base and other air depots across the country are able to secure capitol funds to help them update and modernize their facilities," Congressman Cole said. "Senator Inhofe and I have been working to ensure this provision is included in both the House and Senate version of the defense authorization bill. These funds will help preserve and protect the programs and facilities that made Tinker so strong in this year's BRAC round."

Because the current substation at Tinker has had numerous failures associated with its operation resulting in electrical outages and downtime, Congressman Cole requested funds for a new substation to serve the Tinker area.

"Tinker has a vital role within the Air Force and within the military as a whole--it is important to provide them with every resource necessary for them to do their job. This project will provide them with a critically needed electrical substation to prevent any interruption to their power grid," Rep. Cole said.

"I am very pleased these provisions were included in the bill reported out of committee. There is still a long way to go before this bill is signed into law. I will be working within the Rules Committee to ensure these provisions will be protected when the bill reaches the House floor," Congressman Cole said.

The House is expected to vote on the FY06 Defense Authorization this week.

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