Fifteen million dollars have been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives to fund flood control projects and solar energy research in Arizona.

A news release from U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) indicates the House approved on July 17 $14 million dollars for a flood control project and $1 million for what is described as cutting-edge solar energy research to be done at the University of Arizona.

“Today’s vote by the House of Representatives is a significant step in bringing crucial federal funding to these very different but very important projects,” Giffords said.

According to the news release, the flood control funds will be used for the Tucson Drainage Area, more commonly known as Arroyo Chico. It is considered a major urban flood control project that runs more than 11 miles through central and downtown Tucson.

The funds designated for solar energy research will be used to build and test new solar array technology at the UA. The project will involve collecting sunlight in sheets of glass formed into lens arrays in order to try and overcome the difficulty of harvesting free sunlight energy.

The Senate has yet to act on the funding bill.