Agencies to reap billions of dollars from stimulus package

In reaching a deal on the economic stimulus package, congressional negotiators chopped some funds that appeared headed for federal agencies. Funding to replace gas-guzzling federal vehicles with more energy-efficient alternative fuel and plug-in models, for instance, dropped from $600 million in the House version to the Senate-approved level of $300 million, despite President Obama's public support for the spending.

But the final version of the $787 billion package, signed into law by Obama in Denver on Tuesday, still allots billions of dollars for upgrades to federal facilities and other projects that directly affect government operations. The following is a sample of the spending that made the final cut.

Agriculture Department

• $650 million for Forest Service projects, including road, bridge, trail and facilities maintenance
• $500 million for Forest Service wildfire management, of which $250 million would be devoted to federal land
• $50 million to modernize Farm Service Agency computer systems
• $24 million for repairs and security enhancements at USDA headquarters

• $4.6 billion for environmental restoration, flood protection, hydropower and navigation infrastructure improvements

• $4.2 billion for energy efficiency projects and to repair and modernize Defense facilities
• $1.3 billion for construction of medical facilities for service members and their families
• $890 million to improve base housing for troops
• $300 million for research on using renewable energy for weapons systems and on military bases
• $240 million for child development centers
• $150 million for a temporary increase in claims processing staff

• $2 billion for research and improvements to the department's laboratories and facilities

• $600 million to clean up hazardous waste at Superfund sites
• $200 million for enforcement and cleanup of petroleum leaks from underground storage tanks

• $4.5 billion for repairs and renovations to make federal buildings more energy efficient
• $300 million to make the fleet of government vehicles more fuel efficient
• $720 million for construction of GSA and Customs and Border Protection land ports of entry to the United States, to improve border security (also listed under the Homeland Security Department)

• $500 million for the Indian Health Service to modernize hospitals and health clinics and to upgrade technology
• $19 billion to computerize health records in an effort to reduce medical errors and cut costs

• $1 billion for the Transportation Security Administration to install explosives detection and checkpoint screening systems in airports
• $720 million for construction of General Services Administration and Customs and Border Protection land ports of entry to the United States, to improve border security (also listed under GSA)
• $240 million for the Coast Guard to make infrastructure improvements and remove obstacles to navigation

• $750 million for National Park Service projects
• $500 million for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to address maintenance backlogs
• $320 million for Bureau of Land Management initiatives
• $280 million for national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries
• $140 million to repair and modernize U.S. Geological Survey science facilities and equipment

• $400 million for hiring more scientists to study climate change
• $400 million for exploration
• $150 million for research, development and demonstrations to improve aviation safety and modernize the air traffic control system
• $50 million to repair NASA centers damaged by hurricanes and floods in 2008

• $600 million for construction and repair of facilities, ships and equipment
• $230 million for ready-to-go research, restoration, navigation and conservation activities

• $500 million to replace the 30-year-old National Computer Center
• $500 million for processing a growing pile of disability and retirement claims

• $290 million for information technology improvements

• $1 billion for veterans medical facilities, to address a $5 billion backlog in repairs and launch energy efficiency projects
• $50 million to make monument and memorial repairs at veterans cemeteries