U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), senior member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler in support of the of the new Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center in Ada, Oklahoma.
In late June, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it was relocating 30 professional jobs from its regional lab in Houston, Texas to the research laboratory in Adam. The move was made so the researchers could work on improving water technology.
“We think it’s a huge indication that the facility in Ada is world class, and can accommodate these very high level researchers,” said Ada Jobs Foundation president James Eldridge.
The addition of these skilled jobs will have an immediate impact in the city.
“Often those folks with PhDs, higher level skill sets, which we hope will contribute to our economy, help increase our tax base,” Eldridge said.
Along with East Central University and the Chickasaw Nation, the city is hoping the EPA’s contribution will make Ada a national hub for water research.
The letter sent by the Oklahoma members of congress is available here and pasted below.
Dear Administrator Wheeler:
We write today in support of the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center (Kerr Center) located in Ada, Oklahoma. This Center has consistently proven itself to be an efficient and committed facility for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
As you know, the Kerr Center studies the transportation and transformation of contaminants in soil and ground water and contains state-of-the-science equipment to carry out its mission. Currently, the Kerr Center has over 70,000 square feet of laboratory and office space with an additional 10,000 square foot annex and space to expand on its 16 acre campus. As such, the Center is well-positioned to assume any additional responsibilities.
We continue to be impressed with the Center’s commitment to environmental protection and are confident in its potential for expansion. Should opportunities for increasing responsibilities arise, we respectfully request you give every consideration to the Center.
Thank you for your consideration and continued support of the Kerr Center.
