A Clear Commitment to America’s Waters
7
WaterWorksCampaign.org
Thereare
2MillionMiles
of AgingPipesBeneathOur Feet
It’s time torenewthewater systems that connectusall.
It’sallover ifwedon’t
fixwhat’sunder.
Water Works
findings and sought federal support for three overarching objectives:
1) expanded access to low-cost loan and grant programs to accelerate
water infrastructure projects; 2) the leveraging of private financing and
partnership opportunities; and, 3) support for workforce development
programs that prepare the next generation of workers who will be stew-
ards of our nation’s water systems.
Press Conference Features Key National Leaders
A Capitol Hill press conference featured Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD),
Chair of the Senate Subcommittee onWater &Wildlife and Reps. Bob
Gibbs (D-OH), Chair, and Tim Bishop (D-NY), Ranking Member, of
the House Water & Environment Subcommittee. Each praised the new
report, citing the importance of water infrastructure investment to
their geographic regions – as well as their continued support for federal
water infrastructure funding in its various forms, including the State
Revolving Funds, new loan guaranty programs, and a clean water trust
fund. Also participating in the press conference were San Diego Mayor
Kevin Faulconer; National Association of Counties President and Maui
County Council Member Riki Hokama; and Karen Pallansch, NACWA
President and CEO of Alexandria Renew Enterprises.
Highlights from the afternoon’s Congressional Briefing included com-
ments by NACWA Board Members, Julius Ciaccia, Executive Director
of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, and Emily Lloyd,
Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental
Protection. Each noted their successful efforts to raise rates over the
past decade and the vital role increased investments are playing in spur-
ring development along the waterfronts of both Cleveland and New
York City and sustaining and growing a local job base.
In addition, NACWA, along with several of its Member Agencies and
representatives from the private sector, participated in a White House
Council on Environmental Quality dialogue on the role of private in-
vestment in the public water sector and how to get more private sector
money off the shelf and into the public sector. While the discussion was
wide-ranging, NACWAmade the specific plea that the Administration
and Congress not look to private sector funds as an alternative to main-
taining the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds or ongoing federal
support for the SRFs.
Visit the
for additional information and an infor-
mative and compelling
.
