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NEWS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: NACWA Applauds Latta, Walz for Introduction of Clean Water Affordability LegislationWashington D.C. — Representatives Bob Latta (R-OH) and Tim Walz (D-MN) introduced H.R. 3862, The Clean Water Affordability Act, Tuesday to assist financially challenged communities advance clean water projects while minimizing the financial impacts on ratepayers and municipal budgets. Specifically, the bill would codify the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) integrated planning framework and extend permit terms up to 25 years for communities with approved integrated plans, require EPA to broaden its financial capability determinations, extend the repayment period to up to 30 years for Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) investments, authorize additional subsidization such as principal forgiveness for communities that meet the affordability criteria, and ensure that small communities receive a portion of available funding under the CWSRF. “Across the country, communities are struggling to pay for the critical wastewater infrastructure necessary to protect public health and the environment,” said Ken Kirk, NACWA Executive Director. “NACWA thanks Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) and Tim Walz (D-MN) for introducing The Clean Water Affordability Act to provide communities with the added flexibility to advance clean water projects while minimizing the financial impacts on already stressed ratepayers and municipal budgets. This bill is an important step toward realizing the goals of NACWA’s Money Matters . . . Smarter Investment to Advance Clean Water™ campaign which focuses on the need to optimize limited resources to help communities improve water quality and community vitality. We urge Congress to enact this important legislation.” NACWA is pleased to see this bill introduced on a bipartisan basis, and will be working with Reps. Latta and Walz to advance this legislation. ### |