Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - June 10, 2005
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for the FaxAlert ArchiveJune 10, 2005
Clean Water Trust Fund Gains Momentum at House Hearing
The House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing this week regarding the public support and economic need for a new dedicated trust fund for clean water. With nearly 20 Subcommittee Members in attendance, and before a jam-packed hearing room, NACWA’s Clean Water Funding Task Force’s trust fund advocacy effort took a major step forward toward the introduction and passage of legislation to create a clean water trust fund. This would both secure the long-term viability of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), while also adding a significant grant component to help communities fully achieve the goals of the Clean Water Act. Subcommittee Members on both sides of the aisle demonstrated a keen interest in the trust fund concept and expressed a desire to begin an in-depth discussion on revenue sources.With the revenue source issue at the center of the hearing, Ken Rubin, Managing Partner, PA Consulting Group, testified on behalf of NACWA regarding the economic viability of a clean water trust fund. Rubin stated that “the trust fund generates benefits across society. Cleaner water has been shown to reduce health effects in the public, increase access to water-based recreations, increase property values and development opportunities, and increase fisheries and shellfisheries. All of this new economic activity results in job creation, greater worker productivity and increased tax bases at all levels of government.” Frank Luntz, President of the Luntz Research Companies, discussed the overwhelming public support for a clean water trust fund as detailed in a March 2005 national survey (http://www.nacwa.org/advocacy/co/2005-03-03pressrelease.pdf) conducted for NACWA.
Former staff director for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Jack Schenendorf, provided compelling testimony on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of America. Based on his personal experience from working closely on the development and passage of highway trust fund legislation, Schenendorf noted that “a clean water fund is the logical next step.” Julius Ciaccia, Commissioner of the Cleveland Water Division, Cleveland, Ohio, testified on behalf of the American Water Works Association, reiterating their opposition to a municipal water tax. NACWA reemphasized the need for a broad, equitable fee to raise the revenue, touting a clean water restoration fee, a fee on flushables, and others. A representative from the bottled beverage industry testified noting that a broad-based fee would be the most acceptable to that and other industries. The Subcommittee will hold a second hearing on June 14 where other water infrastructure investment options will be explored, including private activity bonds and rural technical assistance.
NACWA’s Clean Water Funding Task Force and other key stakeholders are working together to finalize a legislative proposal that would establish a clean water trust fund and expect such legislation to be introduced this summer. The hearing was taped by C-SPAN and NACWA is looking at options to ensure the full membership has an opportunity to view the hearing. In the meantime, you can visit the Subcommittee’s website to view testimony from the hearing (http://www.house.gov/transportation/water/06-08-05/06-08-05memo.html).
NACWA’s Summer Conference
Is Quickly Approaching, Make Plans to Attend Today
Make plans to join your clean water colleagues, July 19-22, in Hilton Head, S.C., for NACWA’s 2005 Summer Conference, Wastewater Conveyance & Treatment. . . Navigating an Uncertain Regulatory Environment. The conference program will feature presentations on a wide array of collection system and treatment issues, including blending, watershed-based permitting approaches to water quality management, peak excess flow treatment solutions, how utilities are dealing with sanitary sewer overflows absent a national policy, case studies on affordability and more. Reserve your hotel accommodations today by calling the Westin Hilton Head at 843/681-4000 to guarantee the special conference rate of $199 single/double. Be sure to mention that you are a participant in NACWA’s 2005 Summer Conference. The hotel reservation deadline is Monday, June 27, 2005. Online registration, agenda and sign-up for the 2005 NACWA Open are now available at NACWA’s website (http://www.nacwa.org/meetings/05summer/). Committee agendas will be available in the coming weeks.
- Attention Peak Performance Award Winners: Don't forget to acknowledge your staff's contribution in becoming a Peak Performance Award Winner by ordering a NACWA 2004 Peak Performance Polo! Order online at http://vantageretail.com/store/NACWA.