By Caitlin Webber, CQ Staff
A Senate Democratic economic stimulus plan unveiled Thursday would provide the Coast Guard with $925 million for the construction of a new polar ice-breaking ship.
Will this icebreaker be a ship of the past?Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Appropriations Chairman Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., promote building a new icebreaker to bolster the U.S.'s stake in the oil-rich polar region, among other energy and environmental measures in their $56.2 billion plan.
"Constructing a new Coast Guard icebreaker will ensure that the United
States has the ability to respond to the growing risks presented by
increased activity in the Arctic," according to a description of the
Senators' package released Thursday, "and protects U.S. environmental,
economic, homeland security and national security interests in both
Polar Regions."
The Coast Guard currently has three icebreakers, but two have surpassed
their 30-year service lives, and one has been docked on caretaker
status for two years. A third ship was commissioned in 2000, but it has
less ice-breaking capacity than its older fleet mates.
In comparison, Russia has 20 icebreakers, seven of which are nuclear-powered.
"We are losing ground in the global competition," Thad W. Allen,
commandant of the Coast Guard, told a House panel in July. "Like
Russia, Germany, China, Sweden and Canada are all investing and
maintaining and expanding their national icebreaking capacity."
The National Science Foundation estimates that it would take seven or
eight years for a new ice-breaking ship to become operational after
funds are appropriated.
Congressional Republicans are skeptical that the Democrats' economic
stimulus plans -- House Democrats are also drafting a plan estimated to
cost more than $50 billion -- will have the momentum to pass Congress
the last day before it plans to recess.
A Senate Democratic economic stimulus plan unveiled Thursday would provide the Coast Guard with $925 million for the construction of a new polar ice-breaking ship.
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