WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Tom Reed (NY-23) announced that language was included in a report for the Department of Defense Appropriations bill that highlights the impacts to our national defense from a relocation of the production of steam turbines – like the ones built in Wellsville, NY.
“I would like to thank my colleagues in the Appropriations Committee for recognizing skills of Dresser-Rand employees,” said Rep. Reed. “We care not only about the well-being of our Wellsville residents but about the national security of our country. Wellsville Dresser-Rand employees have years of institutional knowledge that could not be replicated at another location.“I hope by raising the issue of the plant relocation with my colleagues, Curtiss-Wright and the Navy will recognize that moving this plant would not be fair for the safety and security of our nation,” continued Rep. Reed.
The appropriations bill has passed the House of Representatives and the final version of the bill is being negotiated between the House and Senate.
The text of the report concerning Dresser-Rand says:
“The Committee understands that the production of steam turbines is vital for the Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan and has concerns that any disruption to this production could have major ramifications. The Committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a report to the congressional defense committees not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act that describes the current industrial base for steam turbines for Navy ships, how a temporary halt in production would impact shipbuilding, and any steps the Navy is taking to increase the domestic steam turbine industrial base.”
This follows the passage of a similar amendment by Rep. Reed in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Rep. Reed has also sent letters to the CEO of Siemens, the Secretary of the Navy, the Chairman, and CEO of Curtiss-Wright, who purchased the Dresser-Rand contract, and Governor Cuomo voicing his national security concerns and opposition of the plant moving.
Curtiss-Wright has announced that they will move the steam turbine manufacturing facility out of Wellsville and into the Carolinas.
