Water Groups Warn Senators Of Conditional Support For WRDA Legislation

摘要

Drinking water groups are warning the Senate environment committee that their support for an Army Corps funding bill is contingent on excluding major changes to EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program beyond the bill's language extending the program for two years. In a May 10 letter, the American Water Works Association (AWWA), Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and Water Environment Federation (WEF) reiterate their strong opposition to a plan offered by Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) that would create a new category of WIFIA loans. Relevant documents are available on lnsideEPA.com. (Doc. ID: 211727) Boozman's bill would amend WIFIA to create a new class of loans that would be available exclusively to states to pay for projects listed on their state revolving fund (SRF) intended use plans. The bill is also referred to as Securing Required Funding for Water Infrastructure Now (SRF WIN). "We believe the [legislation overhauling WIFIA] is a fundamentally flawed proposal that, if enacted, would pose a severe threat to the future viability of the WIFIA program. For these reasons, our organizations will withdraw our support for [the Army Corps bill] if it advances with with SRF WIN provisions," the letter says.