CLEAN WATER CONSTRUCTION COALITION
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WHAT'S NEW December 22, 2012
* Earlier this month the Congress approved the Federal Fiscal 2012 Appropriations Bill that funds the SRF Wastewater and Drinking Water Construction Program. The funding levels are: Wastewater - $1.468 billion & Drinking Water - $919.4 million.
The strategy utilized this year regarding the Appropriations Bill was to work with the Senate Leadership who finally increased the level of funding beyond what was approved by the House of Representatives earlier in the year.
* H.R. 3145, "Water Quality Protection and Jobs Creation Act of 2011" was introduced by Congressman Bishop (D-NY) on October 11, 2011, with 5 co-sponsors. This bi-partisan bill will increase funding for the Wastewater SRF construction program over five years ($13.8 billion), provide $2.5 billion in grants for the construction of the separation of combined sewers and establish, for the first time, a national Clean Water Trust Fund.
Coalition members, working with the House staff, have obtained a total of 15 co-sponsors on the bill. Funding under the bill is revenue - neutral and does not add to the federal debt.
* The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee conducted a hearing on "Our Nation's Water Infrastructure" on December 13, 2011. The Coalition presented testimony that day supporting increased funding for clean water construction.
October 18, 2011
* Key leaders of the House of Representatives have introduced H.R. 3145 Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2011. Sponsors are Congressmen Bishop (D-NY), Rahall (D-WV), Petri (R-WI) and LaTourette (R-OH). This bi-partisan bill will fund the Federal Wastewater SRF construction program for five years for a total of $13.8 billion.
The bill is revenue neutral, meaning it won't add to the federal debt, and also includes $2.5 billion in federal grants for separation of combined sewers and establishes a Clean Water Trust Fund.
May 23, 2011
* Coalition members will conduct a business meeting the mroning of May 25, 2011 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Washington, DC. March 10, 2011
* The Coalition will host a Luncheon Reception on May 25, 2011 for Congressman Bob Gibbs who serves as chairman of the Water Resources and Environmental Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
* Coalition members have urged their US Senators to resist cuts in the Federal Fiscal 2011 Appropriations for the Wastewater and Drinking Water SRF programs. Earlier this year, the US House of Representatives cut this funding by 67% for the Wastewater SRF program and cut by 40% the Drinking Water SRF program. December 24, 2010
As of March 10th the US Senate has refused to cut any funding in the 2011 Appropriations for the Wastewater or Drinking Water SRF programs.
* Coalition representatives have begun a series of meetings with Congressional leaders involved in jurisdiction for the SRF programs.
* Earlier this week the Congress approved a Continuing Resolution (CR) funding the federal wastewater & drinking water SRF construction programs, through March 4, 2011, at the fiscal 2010 level. November 29, 2010
* Coalition members are contacting their U.S. Senate members to urge debate and vote on S.1005, legislation to reauthorize the Federal Wastewater and Drinking Water SRF construction programs at increased funding levels, prior to the end of the current Congress.
September 7, 2010
* The Coalition will meet during October 7-8, 2010 in Chicago to finalize a strategy to encourage the Senate to bring S.1005 to the floor for a Senate vote. May 24, 2010
* The Coalition will meet on the morning of May 26th in Washington, DC to conduct business and meet with their Congressional representatives during the day. At 12:00 Noon the organization will host a reception to honor Senator Ben Cardin for his work as Congressional Advocate for wastewater and drinking water construction. March 29, 2010
* Representatives of the Coalition will also meet with Congressman Edward Markey to discuss the provisions of HR 5320 which will provide $14.7 billion for Drinking Water construction.
* Last Wednesday the House of Representatives, by a vote of 246-178, approved H.R. 4849 Small Business Infrastructure Jobs Act. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for small business job creation, extend the Build America Bonds program and provide other infrastructure job creation tax incentives. The bill will allow an increase in the volume cap upon the principle of tax-exempt debt that can be issued by a state, during a calendar year, to finance wastewater and water facilities. March 22, 2010
* The Coalition will host a Washington, DC Reception honoring Senator Ben Cardin for his efforts in support of clean water actions in the US Senate, on May 26, 2010.
* Coalition representatives provided information to the Government Accounting Office (GAO) regarding the potential for financing wastewater infrastructure through the creation of a National Infrastructure Bank.
* Coalition representatives have met with representatives of Senators Boxer and Cardin regarding a strategy for bringing S.1005 to the Senate floor for debate and vote
March 3, 2010
* On March 10, 2010, representatives of the Coalition will meet with Senator Ben Cardin (MD), chairman of the Senate Water Subcommittee, to discuss increased clean water construction funding in the federal FY 2011 Appropriations Bill and Senate action on S.1005.
* On March 11, 2010, representatives of Coalition members will meet in Baltimore to discuss 2010 actions and plans for its Congressional Luncheon in Washington, DC scheduled for May 26, 2010.
February 3, 2010
* Coalition members, in conjunction with the Water Infrastructure Network (WIN), have contacted members of the U.S. Senate and urged them to include $6 billion for water infrastructure construction in any Senate Jobs Bill. Thirty two Senators have already agreed to do so. January 29, 2010
* Coalition members have contacted their US Senators urging them to advocate for the inclusion of $6 billion in the new Jobs Bill for wastewater and drinking water construction.
* The Coalition will meet on March 11, 2010 in Baltimore.
December 7, 2009
* The Coalition conducted a conference call on December 4, 2009 to discuss various issues, including the possibility of a new Federal Jobs Program. It was noted that representatives of the Coalition have discussed the need to include funding in a Jobs Program for various wastewater and drinking water construction projects. Discussions have been conducted with Congressional Leaders.
October 30, 2009
The Coalition also supports the Water Infrastructure Network (WIN) call for a new $20 billion investment in these projects as part of the Jobs Program.
* Last night the US House and Senate approved final federal fiscal 2010 appropriations for the Wastewater and Drinking Water SRF construction programs:
* $2.1 billion wastewater
* $1.38 billion drinking water
* $157 million for water infrastructure grants
September 25, 2009
* The US Senate approved legislation to appropriate funding for the Wastewater and Drinking Water SRF programs today on a vote of 77-21. This legislation will provide $2.1 billion for the Wastewater program and $1.39 billion for the Drinking Water program. This total amount is approximately three times the amount of funding for federal fiscal 2009 which is the current year. June 24, 2009
Federal fiscal 2010 begins October 1, 2009. Every state will receive a major increase in funding.
* The House Committee on Appropriations recently approved $2.307 billion for the Wastewater Construction SRF program and $1.44 billion for the Drinking Water Construction SRF program for federal fiscal 2010 which begins October 1, 2009. May 19, 2009
The Senate Committee on Appropriations will meet in a few days to complete its work regarding these two SRF programs.
* The Clean Water Construction Coalition hosted a Washington, DC Luncheon Reception in the House Rayburn Building to honor Congressman James Oberstar, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and US EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson who both attended the event.
Approximately 50 Coalition representatives and partners from Labor, Water Infrastructure Network, Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities and AGC of America attended the reception.
Lisa Jackson is pictured as she spoke at the Coalition Reception.
Chairman Oberstar is pictured at the reception with Bob Briant, left, and former Congressman Bob Roe.
May 14, 2009
* The Senate Environment & Public Works Committee approved S.1005 today. This legislation includes $20 billion nationally for the Wastewater SRF program, $15 billion nationally for the Drinking Water SRF program and $2.5 billion for CSO grants - all over the next five years.
The Senate will now schedule a floor vote on the bill in the near future. May 4, 2009
* Coalition representatives met on April 29th with staff of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee to discuss provisions of the Senate bill to reauthorize the federal Wastewater and Drinking Water SRF programs. March 27, 2009
* On May 19th the Coalition will conduct a Washington, DC reception where Chairman Oberstar and USEPA Administrator Jackson will attend.
* Representative and consultants of the Coalition have begun a series of meetings with members of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. This new Subcommittee has jurisdiction for Safe Drinking Water in the House and is chaired by Congressman Edward Markey (MA). March 12, 2009
With the recent approval of H.R. 1262, which provides federal funding for the Wastewater SRF program nationally, it is an appropriate time to begin discussions with those who must be proactive in the reauthorization of the Safe Drinking Water SRF program in the U.S. House of Representatives.
* The US House of Representatives approved H.R. 1262 today on a vote of 317-101. Seventy Republican members of the House voted in support of the bill. January 16, 2009
H.R. 1262 provides $13.8 billion for the state Wastewater SRF programs over the next five years and $2.5 billion** for combined sewer overflow construction.
The Coalition will now begin working with the Leadership of the U.S. Senate to promote similar legislation in that chamber.
** (This number was revised on March 27, 2009.)
* Representatives of the Coalition met with Chairman Oberstar earlier this week to discuss wastewater and drinking water construction funding in the pending Economic Stimulus legislation. Discussion also focused on the Oberstar legislation to reauthorize the Federal Wastewater SRF construction program. January 9, 2009
* On January 14, 2009 Coalition representatives will meet with Chairman Oberstar to discuss infrastructure provisions in the final Economic Stimulus Package before the Congress. December 22, 2008
* Last week representatives of the Coalition met with leadership of the Congress regarding the Economic Stimulus Legislation that will be approved by the new Congress early in 2009. Based on those meetings, under consideration at this time is to fund approximately $16 billion for the Wastewater SRF program and $2 billion for the Drinking Water SRF program. November 19, 2008
Funding may be utilized in two phases - bid within 90 days of the enactment of the legislation and then within another 180 days following the first 90 day period.
* Representatives of the Coalition will meet with officials of the Government Accounting Office (GAO) regarding the Water Trust Fund Study underway by the GAO. Such a Trust Fund will provide revenue, if approved by Congress, to fund future wastewater and water construction projects. October 13, 2008
Coalition representatives have also discussed this matter with Congressman James Oberstar, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
* The Coalition held meetings in Milwaukee on October 3-4, 2008. September 26, 2008
* The legislation to reauthorize the Federal Wastewater/Drinking Water SRF construction program, S-3500, which was approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee earlier this month, has been given a new number, S-3617, and placed on the Senate legislative calendar. September 17, 2008
* Today the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved S-3500 which reauthorizes the Federal Wastewater and Drinking Water SRF programs. The bill includes $38.5 billion, over five years, for wastewater and drinking water construction. September 9, 2008
* Following the September 4, 2008 meeting with Senator Lautenberg, the Senator's staff provided a draft of the Senate bill to reauthorize the federal Wastewater and Drinking Water SRF programs at increased funding levels. August 22, 2008
* Representatives of the Coalition, including former Congressman Robert Roe, the organization's consultant, meet with Senator Frank Lautenberg, chairman of the Senate Water Quality Subcommittee, on September 4, 2008 to discuss the proposed Senate legislation which will reauthorize the Federal Wastewater SRF construction funding program. August 6, 2008
* Senator Harry Reid, Majority Leader of the Senate, recently introduced S-1933 which will provide $750 million in federal grants for small public drinking water systems for fiscal year 2008 through 2014. Small public water systems are defined as one that serves a population of 10,000 or fewer. June 5, 2008
* The National Rural Water Association has joined the Clean Water Construction Coalition. This coalition is now comprised of 24 associations from all areas of the United States. May 27, 2008
* On May 21, 2008, Coalition representatives visited their members of the Congress and spoke about the need to appropriate $2 billion for the fiscal 2009 Wastewater SRF program and $1 billion for the Drinking Water SRF program. April 10, 2008
* On May 21, 2008, the Coalition sponsored a Reception for Senator Frank Lautenburg, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation and Water Quality. The Senator is preparing legislation to reauthorize the Wastewater SRF program at increased funding levels.
* Also on May 21, 2008, representatives of the Coalition met with Congressman James Oberstar, Chairman of the House Committee on Environment and Public Works, to urge support for increased wastewater and water funding in the fiscal 2009 Budget.
* The Coalition has scheduled a Reception which will be held on May 21, 2008 in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. This event will recognize Senators Frank Lautenberg and Barbara Boxer for their efforts in introducing legislation to fund the Wastewater and Safe Drinking Water SRF programs. March 10, 2008
* During the day on May 21st, members of the Coalition will visit their respective Congressional offices to discuss the need to increase the FY 2009 Wastewater SRF appropriation to $2 billion and set the Safe Drinking Water appropriation at $1 billion. The Coalition chairman has already communicated this fiscal appropriation need to the chairman of the Senate and House Subcommittees with jurisdiction.
* Approximately 22 members of the Coalition met in Ft. Lauderdale during March 7 & 8, 2008 to discuss pending Senate actions relative to the reauthorization of the Federal Wastewater SRF program. In addition, the group completed plans for its May 21, 2008 Congressional Reception which will be held in Washington, DC. October 17, 2007
* Coalition members also discussed efforts to increase the Federal Fiscal 2009 appropriations for the Wastewater and Drinking Water SRF programs. Former Congressman Robert Roe and Sante Esposito, consultants to the Coalition, participated in the meeting.
* The Coalition now includes 23 construction associations from around the country representing approxiamtely 7,600 firms.
* The Coalition met during October 5 & 6, 2007 in New York City and were provided an update on Congressional issues regarding the SRF wastewater and water programs. Former Congressman Robert Roe and Sante Esposito, consultants to the Coalition, provided the updates.
September 24, 2007
* The New York meeting also included a tour of the construction of the New York City water tunnel which is approximately 600 feet below ground.
* The Coalition now includes 21 associations from around the country representing approximately 7000 firms.
* On September 18, the representatives of the coalition sponsored and attended the Clean Water Gala which celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Federal Clean Water Act. * The next day, coalition representatives presented testimony at Senator Lautenburg's Water Resources subcommittee in support of increased federal funding for the SRF wastewater construction program. Representatives of the coalition met Senator Lautenburg earlier regarding funding for the program. August 27, 2007 * The Coalition will meet on October 5, 2007 in New York City to discuss the status of the Wastewater SRF Funding renewal efforts in the US Senate and other matters relating to federal wastewater and drinking water issues. Former Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congressman Robert Roe, and Sante Esposito, former chief staff member of the House Committee will attend the meeting and participate in the discussions which include: May 23, 2007 * The Coalition met on May 9, 2007 in Washington, DC to discuss business, meet with members of their Congressional delegations and conduct a reception in the House Rayburn Building in honor of Congressmas James Oberstar, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. * During the afternoon of May 9, 2007 representatives of the Coalition met with Senator Frank Lautenberg, chairman of the Water Resources Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. * Below is photo of representatives of the Clean Water Construction Coalition at a recent meeting with Senator Frank Lautenberg. April 5, 2007 * The Coalition members will meet in Washington, DC on May 9, 2007 to discuss future US Senate actions regarding the companion bill for H.R. 720. * Also on May 9th, Coalition members will visit their Congressional representatives regarding support for H.R.720, H.R. 569 and the Senate companion bills. * The Coalition is also conducting a reception in the House Rayburn Building on May 9th to recognize the efforts of Congressman James Oberstar and William Pascrell, Jr., sponsors of H.R. 720 and H.R. 569. March 27, 2007 * Earlier this month, the US House of Representatives passes H.R. 720 by a margin of 303-108. This legislation reauthorizes the Federal Clean Water Act for four years at a total of $14 billion. The House also passed H.R. 569 by a vote of 367-58. H.R. 569 authorizes $1.8 billion for combined sewer overflow construction grants over five years. March 7, 2007 * The Coalition conducted a meeting of its members on March 2, 2007 where the organization announced that it has begun meetings with the staff of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works regarding the development of Senate companion bills for H.R. 720 and H.R. 569. February 23, 2007 * House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar introduced HR 720 which reauthorizes the Federal Clean Water Act. The legislation calls for an expenditure of $20 billion over the next five years for sewer and wastewater construction funding. * New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell has introduced HR 569 which would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize $1.8 billion for combined sewer overflow construction grants over the next five years. * Below is photo of representatives of the Clean Water Construction Coalition at a recent meeting with Congressman James Oberstar. P.O. BOX 728
* Senate companion legislation to HR 720
* Final Congressional Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriation for watewater and drinking water
* S 1910 - proposed federal arbitrage legislation
* Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations for wastewater and drinking water
* Reauthorization of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act
ALLENWOOD, NJ 08720
732-292-4300 * FAX: 732-292-4310