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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2013

 
Contact:
Adam Krantz
Managing Director, Government & Public Affairs
202.833.4651
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NACWA Disappointed with Administration’s FY2014 Budget Proposal for Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program and Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds; Will Seek Congressional Support on These Issues

Washington, D.C.—The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) voiced deep disappointment with the Administration’s proposed cuts to programs critical to clean water investments. Specifically, the Administration proposes steep reductions to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) of more than $350 million and nearly $100 million to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs. These programs provide low-cost financing for investments in wastewater treatment plants and drinking water facilities. 

In addition, the Administration’s budget proposes a 28% benefit cap on tax-exempt municipal bond interest for high income taxpayers. According to a recent Conference of Mayors report, if this provision had been enacted over the last decade, it would have cost municipalities $173 billion in interest expense for infrastructure projects and prevented many others from going forward.

“NACWA is extremely disappointed by the Administration’s disproportionate cuts to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs and its proposed limitations on tax-exempt municipal bonds. Communities across the country are shouldering nearly $100 billion worth of annual investments to ensure Americans have safe and clean water. The two critical federal programs that help ratepayers maintain affordable rates as they are making these investments are the State Revolving Funds and Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds. We are very disappointed that this Administration is backing off on its commitment to helping communities make these investments affordably and meeting their obligations under the Clean Water Act,” said Ken Kirk, Executive Director of NACWA. “We will be reaching out to clean water supporters on Capitol Hill to ensure that these cuts are not maintained.”

 

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NACWA represents the interests of more than 300 public agencies and organizations that have made the pursuit of scientifically based, technically sound and cost effective laws and regulations their objective. NACWA members serve the majority of the sewered population in the United States and collectively treat and reclaim more than 18 billion gallons of wastewater daily.