Legislative Alert 08-1

NACWA Seeks Member Input on Potential Economic Stimulus Package

NACWA is meeting with House staff Thursday and Friday to discuss the contents of an economic stimulus package that could include funding for wastewater projects and is meant to stave off a possible recession. These efforts are on a fast track and key Congressional staff has asked NACWA to provide them with financial data regarding projects that Association members have ready-to-go to construction within the next 3 to 6 months, should federal funding be made available for this purpose.

It is critical that you provide NACWA with any financial information that you have regarding ready-to-go projects as soon as possible and preferably by close of business Thursday (January 17) to Byron DeLuke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 202/833-4655. Even estimates or anecdotal information is helpful as NACWA continues its discussions with congressional staff on the potential contents of the stimulus package.

A similar approach was discussed in 2001, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks but Congress eventually sided with President Bush in opting for a one-time tax rebate. Congress is now working to find common ground with the President and seems to be in favor of a stimulus package that would include environmental projects, such as wastewater infrastructure funding. NACWA has provided Congressional staff with information gleaned from an informal 2001 survey, which estimated that communities nationwide had between $3 and $4 billion of wastewater treatment projects ready to go within 90 days of receiving federal funds.

Again, your timely input is critical so please contact Byron DeLuke at bdeluke@nacwa.org or 202/833-4655 with this critical information. NACWA will update members as these talks progress.