Committee Discusses Potential Bill Funding Billions in Water Infrastructure Improvements
As recently reported by Jason Plautz at E&E in his article "Bipartisan lawmakers seek $13.8B for infrastructure improvements," members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are discussing a potential bipartisan bill that would provide approximately $13.8 billion in funding for wastewater infrastructure projects, and several billion in alternative financing for clean water infrastructure projects.
According to the draft bill summary, the bill would "create thousands of new, domestic jobs in the construction and wastewater-support sectors through increased investment in wastewater infrastructure . . . ." There is also hope that the funding of water infrastructure will help provide the kind of basic services needed to attract new and grow existing businesses.
The bill is sponsored by Reps. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), Tom Petri (R-Wis.), Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio), and Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.). It also has the support of the National League of Cities and the Water Infrastructure Network, a coalition that includes the American Society of Civil Engineers, Natural Resources Defense Council and National Association of Clean Water Agencies.
