WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Mankato, has released his list of appropriation requests — so-called earmarks.

The funding requests set aside funds for a specific project in a lawmakers district, rather than having the allocation decisions made by a federal agency.

The earmarks have come under fire in recent years, with critics saying they drive up the cost of the budget and are pet projects for lawmakers who bypass normal congressional scrutiny. There’s also been criticism because the earmarks often have not been made public until after they are passed.

Several lawmakers have responded by releasing a full list of what earmarked funding requests they are seeking.

In releasing his earmarks request Friday (see accompanying list), Walz said in a statement:

“The projects I requested funding for are projects that are critical to the economy of southern Minnesota and to my constituents’ quality of life.”

He said members often know more about projects important to their districts than a federal agency in Washington, D.C.

“However, because the appropriations process has been abused in the past, I believe it is important for this system to be as open and transparent as possible,” Walz wrote.

Following are Walz’s requests to the House Appropriations Committee for projects in his district:

— Center for Applied Biofuel Research at Minnesota State University. Funds would support research into renewable energy.

— Center for Renewable Energy at Minnesota State University. This funding would support ongoing research into cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable forms of energy.

— Minnesota National Guard Field Maintenance Facility in Mankato. Funds would support the design of a maintenance facility to support the training of Minnesota’s National Guard.

— Watonwan County Emergency Services. Funds would support an upgrade of the county’s emergency operations center and a facility for emergency management equipment.

— Rapidan Dam near Mankato. Funding for a study by the Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate options for the Rapidan Dam.