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Water infrastructure funding bill introduced in Congress
WASHINGTON — US Reps. Sue Kelly, R-NY, and Ellen O. Tauscher,
D-CA, this week introduced in the House of Representatives a bipartisan Clean
Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 2003 (HR 20), which would provide $25
billion over five years for the state revolving fund used for much-needed water
and wastewater infrastructure upgrade and rehabilitation.
The Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) applauded the move as a
significant grant component to aid distressed communities who must improve water
and wastewater systems.
AMSA said in a news release that the bill is an important demonstration that the
108th Congress remains committed to clean water infrastructure funding and
constitutes a first step toward an ultimate solution to the water infrastructure
funding shortfall which resides in a long-term, sustainable funding source.
"The United States faces a looming crisis to the nation's wastewater
infrastructure, as pipes and systems age and are in desperate need of upgrade
and repair," said Ken Kirk, AMSA executive director of AMSA.
"Municipalities now shoulder 90 percent of these infrastructure costs, but they
cannot continue to foot this massive infrastructure bill alone, especially as
local budgets continue to shrink and municipalities face daunting security
costs.
"Without a serious, long-term commitment from the federal government, the
wastewater infrastructure funding need over the next twenty years will only rise
dramatically and we will have missed our opportunity to ensure the nation's
clean water future".
AMSA has been a vocal member of the Water Infrastructure Network (WIN), a
coalition of interests seeking federal help to lose the gap between funds
allocated for infrastructure and funds actually needed for such projects.
In WIN's report, Clean and Safe Water for the 21st Century, the group said a $12
billion annual shortfall exists for wastewater infrastructure over the next
twenty years.
These startling estimates have been bolstered by the US Environmental Protection
Agency, the Government Accounting Office, and the Congressional Budget Office,
demonstrating the enormity of the water infrastructure funding need, AMSA said.
To overcome the funding shortfall, AMSA is calling on Congress and the president
to act swiftly on new legislation to finance a long-term, sustainable, and
reliable source of funding for clean water, focusing on critical "core"
wastewater infrastructure needs.
AMSA said it hopes the bill will spur bipartisan support in Congress for such a
solution and will continue to work with Representatives Kelly and Tauscher, and
the 108th Congress toward this end.
AMSA is a national trade association representing hundreds of the nation's
publicly owned wastewater utilities.
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