Press Release
House Passes FY21 Appropriations Package with Unprecedented Funding Levels for Public Clean Water Sector
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2020
Media Contact:
David Zielonka | Manager, Media and Communications
(202) 981-3786 | dzielonka@nacwa.org
House Passes FY21 Appropriations Package with Unprecedented
Funding Levels for Public Clean Water Sector
Statement
from NACWA CEO Applauds Congress’s Recognition of Need to Fund Clean Water
Projects
(Washington, D.C.) – Friday afternoon the U.S. House of Representatives voted to
advance its first Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) omnibus appropriations package, H.R.
7608, which includes strong investments in clean water programs, including $8.5
billion in FY21 funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), which
is nearly five times that of current levels.
Adam Krantz, NACWA’s Chief Executive Officer, issued the
following statement:
"On behalf of public clean water utilities around the
country, I applaud the House of Representatives for including robust funding
for the public clean water sector in today’s legislation. At a time when clean
water agencies are doing more than ever to protect public health, the
environment, and support economic growth, the funding proposed in this omnibus
appropriations package is a much needed step forward in providing communities
across the country with the financial investments needed to help with their
rapidly growing and evolving clean water infrastructure needs. The current
level of federal investment in the sector is below five percent nationwide, a
number that falls far short of what communities need from their federal partner
and is drastically less than what the federal government spends on nearly every
other infrastructure sector. NACWA looks forward to continuing to work with
Congress throughout the FY21 appropriations process to ensure strong federal
funding for the public clean water sector is passed into law.”
The bill is not without challenges, most notably related to
the lack of new funding and rescinding of FY17-FY19 funding for the Water
Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. NACWA extends a
special thank you to Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) for her work to secure
inclusion of an amendment to the bill emphasizing that communities currently
pursuing a WIFIA loan are not required to restart the application process and
therefore able to receive the financing they need. NACWA thanks the members and
staff of the House Appropriations Committee for their continued commitment to
funding clean water programs.
###
About NACWA
For nearly 50 years, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has been the nation’s recognized leader in legislative, regulatory, legal and communications advocacy on the full spectrum of clean water issues. NACWA represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes nationwide. Our unique and growing network strengthens the advocacy voice for the public clean water sector and helps advance policies to provide affordable and sustainable clean water for all. Our vision is to advance sustainable and responsible policy initiatives that help to shape a strong and sustainable clean water future. For more information, visit us at www.nacwa.org.