» Legislative Alerts Archive
To: |
Members & Affiliates, Legislative Policy Committee, Clean Water Funding Task Force
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From: |
National Office |
Date: |
February 20, 2009 |
Subject: |
NACWA PRELIMINARY GUIDANCE TO MEMBERS ON STIMULUS BILL IMPLEMENTATION
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Reference: |
LA 09-05 |
NACWA is pleased to provide its members with this timely white paper — NACWA Preliminary Guidance to Members on Stimulus Package Implementation — detailing the relevant provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA or Stimulus Package) that President Obama signed into law on Feb. 17. The ARRA provides $787 billion to stimulate the economy, including $4 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and $2 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), as well as other funding opportunities discussed in this white paper that could benefit the clean water community.
The white paper explores how the ARRA alters some of the regulatory provisions of the SRF program in order to facilitate getting the funding to communities as quickly and efficiently as possible. Congress, recognizing the huge stakes involved in passing such a large stimulus package, has vowed aggressive oversight to ensure the law achieves its stated goal of creating or supporting some 3.5 million jobs.
NACWA’s white paper offers an initial overview of the ARRA’s new administrative requirements; the array of potential areas where funding may be available; U.S. EPA’s draft guidance to states on implementing the new CWSRF provisions; potential challenges states and utilities are likely to face in implementing the CWSRF stimulus package program; and recommendations to municipalities on how to maximize opportunities under the ARRA.
This white paper builds on NACWA’s strong advocacy to ensure the inclusion of clean water funding in the ARRA, as well as recent efforts to bring leaders on this issue together through conferences and web seminars to discuss the implementation of the stimulus package. Going forward, NACWA will be at the center of stimulus package issues as they unfold. The Association is setting up a website that will serve as a hub for member and non-member utilities to share their experiences, difficulties, and successes regarding stimulus package implementation. NACWA will gather this vital information to learn key lessons from stimulus package implementation and apply them to ongoing efforts in the clean water funding arena, whether via a second stimulus package, SRF reauthorization, and a clean water trust fund. We have worked hard as a community to obtain this much-needed funding but we recognize this as only the first step.
If you have any questions regarding this white paper, please contact NACWA’s Director of Legislative Affairs, Pat Sinicropi at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or at 202/533-1823.
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