chefker
08-24-2005, 09:15 AM
Thank goodness....just when I was pessimistically nay-saying in another thread here that the base would likely be closed, heard the following on the news:
BRAC votes to save sub base (http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=3760161)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The national base closure commission voted Wednesday to keep open the Navy's submarine base in Groton, saving about 8,000 jobs and a cornerstone of southeastern Connecticut's economy.
Established by the U.S. Navy in 1868 as the nation's first submarine base, the Groton base has been the subject of fierce lobbying since it appeared on the proposed list of closings was released on May 13.
Connecticut lawmakers inundated the BRAC commissioners with data, reports and letters in an effort to reverse the Pentagon decision.
They cited national security concerns, submarine force requirements, environmental cleanup costs, personnel needs and detailed reports challenging the Navy's projected cost savings.
In addition, lawmakers took issue with the Navy's assertion that an environmental cleanup would cost about $23 million and Pentagon officials last month acknowledged it may be too early to tell what the actual cost would be.
"Not only is Sub Base New London a first-class facility, it's the flagship of the submarine facility," said retired Air Force Gen. Lloyd "Fig" Newton, one of seven commissioners who voted to keep the base open. "I find that it would be a big mistake to close this facility at this time."
The Pentagon's base closure plan is the first such effort in a decade to reconfigure stateside military bases. The Groton base made the proposed closure list in 1993, but was saved after an effort by legislators, business owners and residents.
This year's Pentagon proposal is the most ambitious by far. It would close or consolidate a record 62 major military bases and 775 smaller installations to save $48.8 billion over 20 years.
Earlier Wednesday the commission unanimously voted to close three army reserve centers in Connecticut - the Sgt. Libby U.S. Army Reserve Center in New Haven, Turner U.S. Army Reserve Center in Fairfield and U.S. Army Reserve Center Maintenance Support Facility in Middletown.
About 56 jobs will be lost as a result of that vote, according to Pentagon estimates.
BRAC votes to save sub base (http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=3760161)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The national base closure commission voted Wednesday to keep open the Navy's submarine base in Groton, saving about 8,000 jobs and a cornerstone of southeastern Connecticut's economy.
Established by the U.S. Navy in 1868 as the nation's first submarine base, the Groton base has been the subject of fierce lobbying since it appeared on the proposed list of closings was released on May 13.
Connecticut lawmakers inundated the BRAC commissioners with data, reports and letters in an effort to reverse the Pentagon decision.
They cited national security concerns, submarine force requirements, environmental cleanup costs, personnel needs and detailed reports challenging the Navy's projected cost savings.
In addition, lawmakers took issue with the Navy's assertion that an environmental cleanup would cost about $23 million and Pentagon officials last month acknowledged it may be too early to tell what the actual cost would be.
"Not only is Sub Base New London a first-class facility, it's the flagship of the submarine facility," said retired Air Force Gen. Lloyd "Fig" Newton, one of seven commissioners who voted to keep the base open. "I find that it would be a big mistake to close this facility at this time."
The Pentagon's base closure plan is the first such effort in a decade to reconfigure stateside military bases. The Groton base made the proposed closure list in 1993, but was saved after an effort by legislators, business owners and residents.
This year's Pentagon proposal is the most ambitious by far. It would close or consolidate a record 62 major military bases and 775 smaller installations to save $48.8 billion over 20 years.
Earlier Wednesday the commission unanimously voted to close three army reserve centers in Connecticut - the Sgt. Libby U.S. Army Reserve Center in New Haven, Turner U.S. Army Reserve Center in Fairfield and U.S. Army Reserve Center Maintenance Support Facility in Middletown.
About 56 jobs will be lost as a result of that vote, according to Pentagon estimates.