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October 9, 1998
Congress Concludes EPA Funding - Awaiting President's Signature
This week both the House and Senate passed a conference bill (H.R. 4194) to fund the Departments of Veterans Affairs, HUD and Independent Agencies. The bill is anticipated to be signed by the President in the near future. The bill will provide the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with $7.56 billion in 1999 - a level $192 million higher than 1998, but $230 million below the President's requested level of funding.Under Environmental Programs and Management, House and Senate conferees agreed to fund the National Biosolids Partnership at $900,000, just $100,000 less than had been requested by AMSA and the Partnership. Congressional support for the Partnership was won through the collective efforts of the membership of AMSA and WEF. The funding will lay the groundwork for important progress to be made in implementing the Partnership's priority projects.
Of the $3,386,750,000 appropriated under State and Tribal Assistance Grants, $1,350,000,000 will go to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and $775,000,000 to the Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Section 319 nonpoint source pollution grants received $200,000,000 and section 106 state clean water program management grants received $115,529,300. A total of $301,750,000 was appropriated for special needs drinking water, wastewater and groundwater infrastructure grants, with grants ranging from $283,000 to $30,000,000.
Conferees noted that EPA's Clean Water Action Plan has been fully funded at the budget level requested by the President of $645,000,000. The situation was different, however, when House and Senate agriculture appropriators denied increased funding for key clean water programs contained in the USDA budget. This action leaves EPA with the bulk of the burden for dealing with nonpoint source pollution. In particular, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQUIP) was left with less than the $200 million authorized under the Farm Bill and received none of the $100 million increase requested by the White House. Funding for the EQIP program was set at approximately $174 million, casting serious doubt over proposed plans for the expansion of the program.
Perciasepe Appointment Confirmed
On October 8, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the nomination of Bob Perciasepe as assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. In late July, a key senator had requested that a hearing be held on Perciasepe's appointment, although such procedures are not typical for someone who has already been confirmed to an assistant administrator position. According to those reporting on the hearing, the senator asked Perciasepe for his cooperation in efforts by the Committee to begin the reauthorization effort of the Clean Air Act, which is expected to initiate with a series of hearings next year. With Perciasepe's confirmation now official, EPA sources expect that Chuck Fox's appointment to the Office of Water will be confirmed before the Committee adjourns this weekend.
Administration/Congress/AMSA Active on Y2K Issues
AMSA was actively engaged this week representing its members interest with regard to issues surrounding the Year 2000. As a member of the Water and Wastewater Working Group of the President's Council on the Year 2000 Conversion, AMSA had the opportunity to share summary results of its initial Y2K survey with the Administration at a meeting this week. The Association also joined EPA, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies and the American Water Works Association in testifying before Congress on the issue. A complete summary of the efforts underway by the President's Council and the Congressional hearing are being forwarded to AMSA's membership via Member Update 98-18.