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Media Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 23, 2014

CONTACT:

Hannah Mellman
Manager of Legislative Affairs
202.833.4655
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House to Hold Hearing on Clean Water Affordability and EPA’s Integrated Planning Framework; Springfield, Missouri to Testify for NACWA

 

The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment will hold a hearing on Thursday, July 24th to examine the status of EPA’s Integrated Planning Framework and legislative efforts being made to supplement the approach and promote clean water affordability issues. Stephen Meyer, Director of Environmental Services for the City of Springfield, Missouri, and Member of NACWA’s Board of Directors will be testifying on NACWA’s behalf. Mr. Meyer will be speaking about Springfield’s affordability challenges and the City’s efforts to develop an integrated plan in order to more affordably manage their wastewater and stormwater requirements under the Clean Water Act. Springfield hopes to eventually incorporate their requirements under the Clean Air Act and the Solid Waste Disposal Act into their integrated plan as well.

The hearing, entitled “Integrated Planning and Permitting Framework: An Opportunity for EPA to Provide Communities with Flexibility to Make Smart Investments in Water Quality,” will also examine three pieces of legislation that promote Integrated Planning and affordability issues. The first is H.R. 3862, The Clean Water Affordability Act, which is co-sponsored by Representatives Bob Latta (R-OH) and Tim Walz (D-MN) and would codify EPA’s Integrated Planning approach, extend permit terms for communities with an approved integrated plan, and require EPA to revise its guidance on financial capability. The hearing will also look at H.R. 2707, The Clean Water Compliance and Ratepayer Affordability Act, which is co-sponsored by Representatives Steven Chabot (R-OH) and Marcia Fudge (R-OH) and would create a new pilot program for 15 communities across the country to develop integrated plans and extend permit terms for pilot communities with an approved integrated plan. Finally, the hearing will look at a proposal by the U.S. Conference of Mayors referred to as the Water Quality Improvement Act that has yet to be introduced.

Thursday’s hearing is scheduled for 10:00 am EST in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building and will also be live streamed from the T&I Committee website. Mr. Meyer will be available for comment following the hearing. Please contact Hannah Mellman to arrange a time to speak with him.

 

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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.