Press Releases

Committee Republicans introduced a bill yesterday to help states and local communities – including small and rural communities – address their wastewater infrastructure needs.  The bill authorizes the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, consistent with a bipartisan Committee bill from last year, and similar in funding level to the current bipartisan legislation in the Senate.

The Wastewater Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2021 (H.R. 3218) was introduced by Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member David Rouzer (R-NC), along with Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) and U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-AK).

In Case You Missed It, some press coverage of the bill’s introduction:

Environment & Energy Daily:

House Republicans introduced wastewater infrastructure legislation yesterday that includes many provisions of a bipartisan bill that Democrats jettisoned earlier this year.

The "Wastewater Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2021" would authorize the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund for the first time since 1994, allowing $14 billion to be spent over five years. The bill would also extend permit lengths for wastewater treatment facilities from five to 10 years.

Politico:

Investing in the country's aging and failing drinking water and wastewater systems has emerged as a key area where Republicans and Democrats may be able to find common ground.  The measure introduced by Republicans on Thursday represents an overture to Democrats weighing whether to attempt to pass major infrastructure legislation on a bipartisan basis or go it alone….

The new measure also includes provisions relating to the sector's workforce, resiliency efforts, and extending the length of permits for certain types of pollution discharges.

Bloomberg Government:

The GOP bill is in line with what the wastewater portion of the bipartisan water infrastructure legislation (S. 914) the Senate passed in April.  The Senate bill would authorize $35 billion for both drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects.  In the House, T&I has control over wastewater, while Energy and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over drinking water….

The GOP wastewater bill would also invest in other clean water programs for localities, including assistance for states to implement water quality improvement programs and stormwater management projects.

Click here for more information about the Wastewater Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2021.