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Senate Democrats
Insert $20 Billion in Economic Stimulus Package for Infrastructure
[from WEF, 11/2/01]
Led by U.S. Senate President Pro
Tempore Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), Senate Democrats have inserted a
$20 billion package for infrastructure, including water and
wastewater, in an economic stimulus package currently being
considered. It is not clear how much would be available for water
and wastewater, however several members of the Senate Environment
and Public Works Committee asked for $1 to $5 billion last month.
The House of Representatives stimulus package and the Senate
Republican package does not include money for infrastructure
measures, only tax cut provisions and unemployment benefits. The
Senate will continue working on the package next week. (JKS)
Senate Environment Committee
Debates Water Infrastructure Financing
In a related matter, the Senate
Environment and Public Works Committee on October 31 held a
hearing on innovative funding mechanisms for water and wastewater
infrastructure in an attempt to find a balance between the current
financing structure and future financial needs of water and
wastewater systems. G. Tracy Mehan III, Assistant Administrator
for Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
testified that while the current clean water and safe drinking
water state revolving loan funds (SRFs) are successful, Congress
and EPA should look for more mechanisms to help small and/or
disadvantaged communities. He suggested, for example, that small
communities could consolidate with larger systems to integrate
resources and reduce costs. Several other witnesses, including
Paul Pinault, representing the Association of Metropolitan
Sewerage Agencies (Washington, D.C.), and Harold Gorman,
representing the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies
(Washington, D.C.), confirmed that the SRF was a successful
program but noted that more federal grants or loan subsidies are
needed to ensure the continued protection of public health and the
environment. For more information go to http://www.senate.gov/~epw/stm1_107.htm#10-31-01
(JKS)
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