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November 13, 2008

NACWA Seeks Member Input as Economic Stimulus Talk Heats Up in D.C.

Now that people have cast their votes and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has been elected President, work can continue in earnest on a second economic stimulus package.  Last week’s Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee hearing highlighted the importance of an infrastructure-based stimulus package and Committee Chair Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) reiterated his commitment to ensuring that wastewater projects be a key component of such legislation.  Also, House leadership has committed to take up stimulus legislation the week of Nov. 17.  With this in mind, NACWA has been working hard to ensure that the package includes $10 billion for wastewater infrastructure projects that would be ready-to-go within 120 days.  The Association continues to meet with House and Senate staff and delivered an Oct. 15 letter and accompanying list of ready-to-go projects to every Congressional office.  The response has been strong, with numerous House and Senate offices seeking to meet and discuss the issue further with NACWA and its members.  Congressional staff has also asked NACWA to provide them with an updated list of projects once Congress convenes in November.    

In line with this request, please provide NACWA with any further financial information that you have regarding ready-to-go projects as soon as possible and preferably by close of business Thursday (November 13) to Byron DeLuke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 202/833-4655.  NACWA also urges its members to use the Association’s Write Congress Now feature on its homepage to send to your Representatives and Senators urging support for a stimulus package with a significant wastewater funding component.  

The information on ready-to-go projects is critical to demonstrate the fact that there are sufficient wastewater projects for which shovels can be put in the ground quickly for inclusion in a stimulus package.  It is also important because NACWA is seeking funding in the form of grants for these projects and wants to ensure that the funds will not solely go projects currently backlogged on the clean water state revolving fund (Clean Water State Revolving Fund).  In other words, projects should be chosen for stimulus package funding based on the readiness to begin the project and economic need, not simply whether a municipality has completed a CWSRF application.

Additional information on last week’s hearing is available in the October 31 Clean Water Current.   Again, please provide NACWA with any further financial information that you have regarding ready-to-go projects as soon as possible and preferably by close of business Thursday (November 13) 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.  NACWA will update members as work on an economic stimulus moves forward.