Chambliss, Isakson Applaud EPA’s Swift Decision to Support Governor Perdue’s Request to Provide Relief from Gas Shortage

U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today applauded the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s request to temporarily extend relief from the federally enforceable sulfur gasoline requirements in the 45-county fuel control area. The waiver granted by the EPA is effective immediately and will help ease the gas shortage in Georgia.

“I applaud the swift decision by the folks at EPA to uphold Governor Perdue’s request,” said Chambliss. “Extending relief from this requirement in the short term will make more gas available in the fuel control area until supplies can be replenished.”

“With the decrease in supplies of gasoline due to recent hurricanes, it is absolutely critical to temporarily extend relief from the sulfur gasoline requirement until supplies are back to normal,” Isakson said. “I am thankful EPA acted on this request quickly and hope this will help remedy the current situation.”

Chambliss and Isakson sent a letter to the EPA today in support of Governor Perdue’s request. Text of the letter is below:

Mr. Stephen Johnson, Administrator
United States Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator Johnson:

We are writing in support of Governor Sonny Perdue's request for an extension to relief provided from the federally enforceable Georgia SIP sulfur gasoline requirements in the 45 county fuel control area. As you know, this request comes as a result of a severe shortage of Georgia SIP sulfur gasoline caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

We urge your immediate approval of Governor Perdue's request and ask that, should the Governor need to make additional requests, you act upon them as expeditiously as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and we stand ready to assist you in any way we can.

Sincerely,

Saxby Chambliss Johnny Isakson
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Chambliss, Isakson Announce Additional Troops Coming to Georgia’s Fort Stewart, Fort Benning, Fort Gordon

U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) today announced that the United States Army will increase forces at three Georgia Army bases as part of the “Grow the Army” plan. Fort Stewart, Fort Benning and Fort Gordon all will receive additional troops over the next few years.

“We need a larger Army and this increase in the Army’s end-strength by 74,200 soldiers will allow our soldiers to better meet their obligations and execute the responsibilities that our nation entrusts to them,” said Chambliss. “The ‘Grow the Army’ plan will support our security needs around the world and reduce stress and turbulence on Army soldiers and families. I am pleased that the Army decided to locate two of the new infantry brigades at Fort Stewart. They will be welcomed by a supportive community who loves the Army and shares their Army values.”

“This move illustrates the importance of Georgia’s military installations and their future to the Department of Defense and the war on terrorism. We could not be doing what we're doing today in Iraq were it not for Fort Stewart, Fort Benning and Fort Gordon,” Isakson said. “All three of these local communities are ready, willing and able to receive these additional troops and their families, and Senator Chambliss and I stand ready to support them in every way we can.”

The “Grow the Army” plan will expand the Army by six combat brigades and eight component support brigades by fiscal year 2013. Fort Stewart will receive two new brigades, one new infantry brigade combat team as well as another infantry brigade combat team which will convert from a heavy brigade combat team currently stationed at Fort Stewart to an infantry brigade combat team. The heavy brigade will convert in fiscal year 2010 and the new infantry brigade will arrive in fiscal year 2011. The total increase at Fort Stewart will be 3,899 soldiers. Including families and other supporting personnel, the total population growth in the Fort Stewart area is expected to be approximately 12,000. Including BRAC-related adjustments, Fort Stewart will grow by approximately 8,000 assigned personnel to a total of 28,470 soldiers by fiscal year 2013.

Fort Benning will grow by 45 soldiers due to increases in Headquarters personnel assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, as well as 21 soldiers assigned to an Explosive Ordinance Detection Company.

Fort Gordon will receive 192 new soldiers in fiscal year 2008 who will be assigned to US Army Signal Command.