SCHUMER, IN MEETING WITH SECRETARY OF THE ARMY NOMINEE, URGES HIM & THE TOP MILITARY BRASS TO CONTINUE MAKING FORT DRUM A NATIONAL STRATEGIC DEFENSE PRIORITY AND TO SUPPORT RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS THAT FUEL THE BASE & LOCAL ECONOMY; SCHUMER ALSO URGES ARMY TO APPROVE CONSTRUCTION OF STORAGE FACILITY FOR LASER WEAPON TRAINING SYSTEM
During In-Person Meeting With Nominee for U.S. Army Secretary, Eric Fanning, Schumer Urges Army To Shield Ft. Drum From Any Potential Future Cuts & Approve Construction of Storage Building For Laser Weapon Training System – In 2015, Schumer Fought to Secure Jobs & Ensure Base Can Continue Operating In Central NY At Current Levels
Schumer Says A Nominee Should Understand The Importance of Fort Drum To Upstate NY’s Economy – In 2014, Schumer Also Helped Secure ReEnergy Contract So Biomass Facility Could Provide Power to Fort Drum & Create 70 North Country Jobs
Schumer to Incoming Army Secretary: Fort Drum Must Remain a Lynchpin of Our Nation’s Defense Ft. Drum
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, during in-person meeting with the nominee for U.S. Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning, urged him and top military brass to continue their long-standing support of Fort Drum in Northern New York, and to ensure the base has the resources it needs to remain at the vanguard of the nation’s defense. Schumer expressed support for critical alternative energy projects that will fuel the base and the regional economy. Schumer also urged Mr. Eric Fanning to approve the construction of a training support building for storing and maintaining a laser weapon training system in the Department of Defense’s (DOD) 2017 budget.
Schumer has long fought on behalf of Fort Drum. In 2015, Schumer helped protect the base from significant job cuts, even in the face of nationwide military downsizing. In 2014, Schumer also helped secure a major contract with ReEnergy, a renewable power provider in Latham, NY, which allowed the company to begin supplying renewable power to Ft. Drum. During their in-person meeting last week, Schumer stood up for New York’s priorities and urged the Army to continue investing in this critical base.
“I congratulate Mr. Eric Fanning on his nomination to be the Secretary of the Army and I look forward to working with him going forward. During our meeting I made it clear to him that I will continue to fight tooth and nail for the Army’s support of Fort Drum, which is a key asset in America’s national defense. Specifically, I’ll be pushing the Army Secretary nominee to protect Ft. Drum from any civilian or military cuts and to approve a construction project – for the MILES laser facility – that is sorely needed to enhance the quality of training at Fort Drum and whose construction supports jobs in the area,” said Schumer. “I am committed to working with the Army to ensure Fort Drum has the resources it needs to train and support the dedicated men and women in uniform.”
Schumer explained that Ft. Drum is one of the most important resources in Jefferson County and across Upstate New York. The base trains nearly 80,000 troops annually and is the largest employer in the region. In order to continue Ft. Drum’s commitment to training and supporting members of the military, Schumer urged the nominee to continue the Army’s long-standing support of the base if confirmed. In the past, Schumer has helped shield Ft. Drum from devastating cuts that would have undermined the base’s mission and reduced its Active Duty Force.
During their meeting, Schumer also urged Fanning to prioritize the construction of a training support building for storing and maintaining Fort Drum’s laser weapon training system, known as the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES), in the DOD’s FY 2017 budget. Schumer said this project is one of his top priorities when it comes to Ft. Drum and he is committed to ensuring it has the funding it needs to succeed.
Finally, Schumer said the Army has pledged to deploy 1 gigawatt of renewable energy projects across its installations by 2025. Schumer pledged to work with Fanning and the Army to ensure Ft. Drum is working on additional projects that can improve its energy efficiency and ensure the base is doing its part to meet the Army’s goal. In 2014, Schumer helped it secure renewable energy contracts like the one with ReEnergy, which not only brought sustainable energy to the base but also created 170 new jobs for the regional economy.
Eric Fanning was nominated by President Obama to be the 22nd Secretary of the Army on September 18, 2015. Fanning had been previously serving as Acting Under Secretary of the Army and Chief Management Officer since June 2015. He has previously served as Special Assistant to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, Under Secretary of the Air Force, and Deputy Chief Management Officer and Deputy Undersecretary for the Department of the Navy.
###
