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ST. LOUIS NEWS TODAY - Sunday, November 13, 2005
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$9 Million in Fed Funds for Law Enforcement, Research and Justice Programs
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), November 13, 2005 - Senator Kit Bond has secured more than $9 million in federal funds for critical law enforcement, research and justice programs in Missouri.
"Whether it is fighting the dangerous meth problem or making our nation safer through biodefense research, these dollars will fund critical projects throughout Missouri," said Bond. "I will continue to use my position as Missouri's senior Senator to return your hard-earned tax dollars back to the state."
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Bond was able to secure these funds for Missouri projects. The federal funds are part of the fiscal year 2006 Commerce, State, Justice Appropriations Conference Report.
Bond secured more than $9 million for the following Missouri priorities:
- $3.5 million for the Biodefense Research Infrastructure at St Louis University;
- $1.75 million to MOSMART to combat Missouri's methamphetamine problem;
- $1.5 million for a new Springfield Crime Lab (with Congressman Blunt);
- $1.15 million for the NASA Educator Resource Center at Southeast Missouri State University (with Congresswoman Emerson);
- $750,000 for Aerospace Particulate Reduction at the University of Missouri Rolla (with Congresswoman Emerson);
- $350,000 for the Missouri Department of Corrections Reentry Program;
- $250,000 for the Missouri Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Kansas City;
- $150,000 for the Jasper County Juvenile Crime Facility Study (with Congressman Blunt)
"Our law enforcement officials are on the front line of the meth battle and these funds will help them meet critical equipment, clean-up and manpower needs," said Senator Kit Bond, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "I will remain committed to help Missouri's dedicated law enforcement fight the battle against this dangerous drug threatening our communities."
One-Stop Career Centers to Help Veterans
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), November 13, 2005 - Matt Blunt today announced that Missouri's One-Stop Career Centers will be participating in a federal program designed to help veterans looking for good jobs with good wages and those seeking new careers.
The Department of Economic Development's Workforce Development Division has agreed to participate in the nationwide "Key To Career Success" campaign being launched on Veteran's Day. The program initiated by the U.S. Labor Department and Defense Department is designed to heighten veterans' awareness of the services available at career centers across the nation including the more than 40 in Missouri.
"The Missouri veterans who have served our country so bravely have the skills and knowledge that make them an essential part of our workforce and this new program will provide them with the resources to help them find jobs and provide not only for themselves but for their families," said Blunt, a veteran U.S. Navy officer. "I am pleased that Missouri will be engaged in this kind of aggressive outreach and education program to ensure our veterans and transitioning military folks have access to the information they need to enter or excel in the civilian work force."
Through the campaign, a Key to Career Success Card - already being provided to those leaving military service - and other promotional materials will refer veterans to Career Centers in Missouri and elsewhere for assistance in helping with the transition to civilian life and employment.
"We are excited about this campaign and look forward to working with you to assist those women and men who have served our country and provide a valuable asset to employers," said Emily Stover DeRocco, the Labor Department's assistant secretary for employment and training.
The Career Cards will help veterans locate their nearest Career Center and includes the Labor Department's toll free help line 1-877-889-5627 and America's Service Locator, www.servicelocator.org. The cards also will allow Missouri Career Center staff to immediately identify veterans and ensure their access to employment and training services.
Web Site Offers Guidance to Missouri Businesses on Disaster Planning
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), November 13, 2005 - Small and medium-sized businesses in Missouri and across the nation now have a blueprint for dealing with disasters thanks to the Ready Program developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Ready Program, which can be accessed at www.ready.gov provides disaster preparedness information for businesses ranging from employee disaster training to dealing with utility disruptions and cyber security.
Gov. Matt Blunt said the program is especially important to Missouri since about 98 percent of all companies in the state are defined as small and medium-sized businesses.
"It is essential that businesses are prepared in the event of a disaster because of the impact they have not only on our economy but also on Missouri communities and families," Blunt said. "By developing emergency and continuity procedures, Missouri businesses will be able to confront the potential challenges posed by a disaster."
While 92 percent of respondents to a recent Ad Council survey felt it was very important or somewhat important for businesses to prepare for a catastrophic disaster, only 39 percent said their company had a disaster plan in place. Other resources available through the Ready Program include a sample emergency plan and supply list that can be easily downloaded from the web site.
"Business plays an important role in preserving our quality of life and their ability to recover from a disaster will be vital to maintaining that quality of life," Blunt said. "I encourage Missouri businesses and business owners to visit this important site and utilize the information to prepare for a potential disaster."
Electricity Prices 46% Higher Than Last Year
ST. LOUIS, (PRNewswire), November 13, 2005 - Heading into the 2005-06 winter heating season, electricity prices are 46% higher than a year ago, despite recent declines, according to Platts, the energy information business of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
U.S. wholesale day-ahead power prices in early November averaged $81.21 per megawatt hour (MWh), compared to $55.72/MWh in early November 2004, according to Platts National Daily Power Index, an exclusive measure of average benchmark prices across the nation. The year-to-year increase, driven largely by much higher natural gas prices, was even greater before day-ahead wholesale electricity prices fell 21%, or $21.06, from early October, when the Platts National Daily Power Index stood at $102.27.
"Natural gas prices have come down somewhat from their post-hurricane highs, and that means lower power prices," said Mike Wilczek, electric power market specialist for Platts. "The usual shoulder season price declines came late this year with hurricane damage driving up fuel costs for generation. Still, when you look at how much prices have risen since last year, it's quite dramatic."
Forward electricity prices -- the prices paid currently for power to be delivered in future periods -- also are up dramatically from a year ago and from the end of the summer, despite recent declines. The forward price for power to be delivered in December was $83.21/MWh in early November, according to Platts National Forward Power Assessment, up 35% from the comparable year- ago price of $61.79/MWh.
Increases in forward electricity prices for the coming winter are even more dramatic. For instance, prices for power to be delivered in New England for January and February 2006 stood at $179/MWh in early November, more than double the $80/MWh price on Dec. 30, 2004, and up $47, or 36%, over the Aug. 26 price of $132. Forward electricity prices for January and February are also up in all other regions of the country.
"Forward power prices, driven by natural gas prices, were already climbing earlier in the year, and then hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit," Wilczek said. "The shut-in natural gas supply caused natural gas and forward power prices to spike. Prices have come down a bit recently, but they remain very high, especially in regions where a lot of power is generated by burning natural gas."
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