SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE, FOLLOWING THEIR PUSH, FUNDING FOR WEST POINT PROJECTS IN MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS BILL HAS PASSED CONGRESS & IS NOW ON ITS WAY TO THE PRESIDENT’S DESK – LEGISLATION INCLUDES FUNDING FOR $70 MILLION WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT ON BASE & $55 MILLION TO BUILD NEW WEST POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Current West Point Waste Water Treatment Plant Was Built Nearly 60 Years Ago & Has Not Been Updated Since 1972; Suffers From Leaking Tanks That Are Beyond Repair And In Need Of An Upgrade – West Point Will Now Be Able To Replace Old, Deteriorating Water Plant 

West Point Elementary School Was Originally Constructed In 1963 & Fails to Meet Federal Education And Energy Regulations – Replacing School Will Ensure Students Receive Great Education In State-Of-The-Art Facility

Schumer, Gillibrand: West Point Military Base Elementary School & Waste Water Treatment Facility Need & Deserve to Be Updated

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced today that several New York priorities incorporated into the Military Construction appropriations bill have passed Congress and are now on their way to the President’s desk. Specifically, the bill includes $70 million to replace the waste water treatment plant at West Point. The plant was built in 1956 and has not been upgraded since 1972. As a result, the plant suffers from leaking tanks that are beyond repair. Additionally, the bill includes $55 million for a new elementary school at West Point. The current school was constructed in 1963 and remains in violation of numerous federal education and sustainability regulations. Schumer and Gillibrand said that replacing the base’s waste water treatment plant and the elementary school with new state-of-the-art facilities would be major steps forward in improving the environmental conditions at West Point and providing a great education to the children of the West Point military community.

“The Waste Water Treatment Plant at West Point has deteriorated over time and must be replaced. The condition of the base’s elementary school is similarly concerning. These outdated facilities consistently fail to meet federal education and energy regulations, and this does our service members and children a great disservice,” said Senator Schumer. “I am pleased this combined $125 million in funding has now passed Congress, so we can update these facilities and give the base and the school the new, state-of-the-art resources it needs and deserves. I will continue fighting for this funding until it has been signed by the President.”

“West Point is home to some of our nation’s best, brightest and bravest. Our men and women in uniform should have the very best facilities for themselves and their children. These critical resources will help West Point do construction and make important upgrades,” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and West Point Board of Visitors. “With this funding, West Point will be able to upgrade their deteriorated Waste Water Treatment Plant and make repairs to the Military Base Elementary School. I will continue fighting to ensure West Point and our troops get the resources they need.”

The current waste water treatment plant at West Point, built in 1956 and upgraded in 1972, has consistently failed to meet discharge requirements. The plant has been cited with a number of violations since 2009. Building a new facility would allow employees to take advantage of advanced technology to treat water and avoid further environmental violations. After complete, they will demolish 9 buildings at West Point Military Reservation.

The current West Point Elementary school does not meet Department of Defense Education Agency regulations, specifically the Education Facilities Specifications as well as current AT/FP, ADA and NFPA requirements. It also is in violation of numerous federal energy and sustainability mandates. The new school would meet the federal education and energy regulations and provide a quality education for 500 students in grades Pre-K through 4th. School population based on 2018 school year.  

These facilities are funded by the military construction program in military construction and veterans administration's appropriations bill.

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