Senate approves bill for Cannon project

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today approved Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill that contains $13.2 million for a project at Cannon Air Force Base, according to press release from Sen. Pete Domenici’s office.

Domenici, R-NM, urged the committee to keep construction funds in the bill for Cannon Air Force Base, despite the fact that the Pentagon had targeted it for closure, the release said.

The New Mexico Congressional delegation is currently working to find a new mission for Cannon Air Force Base, since the F-16s currently stationed there will eventually be moved.

The appropriation will be used to replace the fuel storage and loading facility at the base, the release said. The project would build a modern fuel storage and distribution system, renovating facilities constructed in the 1960s, to safely unload commercial fuel delivery trucks, according to the release.

The bill does contain language that might restrict the use of funds for bases affected by the Base Realignment and Closure, however, the exact impact on Cannon is not clear at this time.

“If Cannon is to remain operable, as the BRAC Commission has dictated, the base needs to have a modern fuel storage and distribution system for whatever mission may end up there, Domenici said.