Defense Department Lists Stimulus Projects It’s a wish list as thick as a phone book: The Defense Department has identified more than 3,300 projects that will be funded with $7.4 billion from the economic stimulus package. The bulk of the contract opportunities will be for construction and maintenance projects worth less than $7.5 million each, including upgrades of barracks and family housing, road repairs and a large number of energy-efficiency improvements. The department said it gave priority to projects that have already been approved, so the money can start flowing quickly. Highlights of the spending plan: • $4.2 billion in operation and maintenance accounts to improve, repair, and modernize DOD facilities, including energy-related improvements • $1.3 billion in military construction for hospitals • $240 million in military construction for child development centers • $100 million in military construction for warrior transition complexes • $535 million for other military construction projects, such as housing for the troops and their families, energy conservation, and National Guard facilities • $300 million to develop energy-efficient technologies • $120 million for the Energy Conservation Investment Program (ECIP) • $555 million for a temporary expansion of the Homeowner’s Assistance Program (HAP) benefits for private home sale losses of both DOD military and civilian personnel • $15 million for inspector general oversight and audit of Recovery Act execution “Specific investment in military construction will provide stimulus to the economy while helping to improve the quality of life for our troops and their families,” DOD said. “In addition to providing much needed facility improvements, the Recovery Act also provides more funding to achieve higher levels of energy efficiency and enhance important energy research programs so that the DOD can continue to lead the way in the national effort to achieve greater energy independence.” The full list of projects is at www.defenselink.mil/recovery.