Rural lawmakers are backing a Senate provision calling for a $75
million hike in Essential Air Service funding to rural airports,
providing a safety net against rising fuel costs.

The language – part of the larger Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
– would be provided over a five-year period and kick in only when
the program receives at least $110 million through the
appropriations process.

U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., who is backing the legislation,
said the additional funding would come from the auction of
broadcast spectrum rights during the national transition to digital
television, which is slated to provide the federal government with
more than $12 billion in revenue.

“EAS ensures that rural communities in my district have access
to our nation’s air transportation network, and, perhaps even more
importantly, that our national transportation network has access to
our local communities,” Peterson said Tuesday. “These additional
funds will go a long way toward ensuring the long-term
sustainability of the EAS program.”

Last month, Congress passed a bill which raised the total
allocation to EAS by $8 million to the $110 million threshold for
2006. The program is a yearly target for a contingent of lawmakers
– including the White House and urban legislators – who feel the
program is unnecessary and a strain on the federal budget.

The program is particularly pertinent to Bradford Regional
Airport, which is currently under the auspices of EAS. In fact, the
airport’s carrier, Colgan Air Inc., has filed paperwork with the
U.S. Department of Transportation to renegotiate its two-year
contract under EAS, citing increased operating costs – namely fuel.
The announcement by Colgan marks the third time in two years that a
carrier servicing the airport will look to renegotiate a deal under
EAS.

Two airlines, Colgan and RegionsAir Inc. of Tennessee, are vying
for the service. The DOT subsidizes commuter airlines to serve
about 140 rural communities nationwide that otherwise would not
receive air service.

“Maintaining this funding provision would be a strong
acknowledgment of the important role that EAS plays in contributing
to continued growth in our communities,” Peterson said. “I’m
hopeful that the final Deficit Reduction Act will contain these
important funds.”

A large group of rural lawmakers visited and sent a letter
signed by more than 40 members to the House and Senate committees
charged with negotiating the final version of the legislation to
express their view on retaining EAS and increasing funding for it.
Correspondence was also sent to the leadership of both the House
and Senate.

“This just shows continued support for the EAS program,” Airport
Manager Tom Frungillo said. “It recognizes the program is
important.”

In the letter to Congressional leadership, rural lawmakers said
” … communities throughout the country face ever increasing hurdles
in promoting economic growth and development … and EAS has been an
important lifeline.

“Such a measure represents an important and necessary investment
in not only small community air service, but also the economic
security of rural America,” the letter added.

Peterson’s sprawling 5th Congressional District has numerous
rural airports under the auspices of both the EAS and Virtual
Primary Airport programs. The Virtual Primary Airport program
provides federal funding to airports struggling to regain 10,000
passengers annually in the wake of Sept. 1, 2001.