Rep Ellen Tauscher Applauds Reauthorization of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund

Rep Ellen Tauscher Applauds Reauthorization of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund

Today, the House passed H.R. 720, re-authorizing the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which authorizes $14 billion over the next four years for the fund. Rep. Ellen Tauscher was an original co-sponsor of the legislation and in the past eight years has been the lead Democratic sponsor of legislation reauthorize the SRF.

"Since 1994 the Republican controlled Congress has failed to reauthorize a piece of legislation that so clearly promotes the environment, the Economy and the Heath of All Americans," said Rep. Tauscher. "I am glad to have been part of a Democratic push to finally reauthorize the $14 billion needed - this represents a recommitment to the Clean Water and a solid step toward addressing America's clean water needs."

The nation faces a clean water crisis estimated by EPA at $300-500 billion over the next 20 years. The Environmental Protection Agency has warned that failing to overcome this gap will erase the water quality gains made over the past 35 years under the Clean Water Act.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund provides low-interest loans to local communities for construction of wastewater treatment facilities and other water pollution abatement projects. Since it was created in 1987, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund has been the primary source of federal funding for clean water funding. The fund is enormously popular with state and local governments across the country.

On the House floor Democrats defeated an effort by Republicans to strip language in the bill that applies Davis-Bacon prevailing wage protections for construction projects funded under the Clean Water SRF.

"This legislation was an important victory for employee rights because it not only allows us to protect our current and future water supply, but because of Democratic efforts we will be able to ensure that those who work on SRF funded projects will receive the prevailing wage they deserve for the work that they do," noted Tauscher.

http://www.house.gov/tauscher/Press%202007/03-09-07.htm