[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 194 (Thursday, December 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE WATER SUPPLY INFRASTRUCTURE ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                            HON. BUD SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 1995

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the Water Supply 
Infrastructure Assistance Act of 1995, a bipartisan bill that will 
protect human health and the environment and promote jobs. In the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee the term ``infrastructure'' 
means more than just highways, bridges, dams, airports, and other 
transportation and infrastructure related facilities. It includes 
environmental infrastructure such as drinking water and wastewater 
treatment and distribution systems. Because of that, this committee 
expects to play a major role in debate and passage of legislation to 
protect and improve our Nation's water supplies.
  I am delighted to be joined by Jim Oberstar, the ranking Democrat of 
the committee, the chairman of the Water Resources and Environment 
Subcommittee, Sherry Boehlert and the ranking Democrat of the 
subcommittee, Bob Borski. In addition, over 30 of my committee 
colleagues are joining me as original cosponsors.
  Today's bill is similar to the bipartisan drinking water bill the 
Public Works and Transportation Committee approved last Congress. 
Unfortunately, that bill did not become law. The unfunded Federal 
mandates and the environmental infrastructure needs remain, however. 
Today, the need is just as compelling, if not more compelling, to have 
a reasonable bill that provides funding and flexibility to State and 
local officials and that builds upon the existing programs and 
mechanisms of the Clean Water Act.
  For example, EPA estimates over $8.6 billion in capital needs to meet 
current Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. The Congressional Budget 
Office also estimates annual costs between $1.4 billion and $2.3 
billion per year for compliance with current requirements.
  The bill continues the committee's commitment to our Nation's 
environment infrastructure needs in two basic ways:
  First, it authorizes new 3-year, $2.25 billion accounts for 
improvements to drinking water systems within the existing State 
revolving funds [SRF's] under the Clean Water Act--specifically, $500 
million for fiscal year 1996, $750 million for fiscal year 1997, and $1 
billion for fiscal year 1998. The bill would make available the $500 
million in the fiscal year 1996 EPA appropriations bill that is 
contingent on authorization of a drinking water SRF.
  This aspect of the bill is modeled on the existing, successful SRF 
established under the Clean Water Act. It authorizes grants to States 
for the establishment of new accounts within the SRF's for funding 
water supply infrastructure needs. Loans from the accounts would be 
repaid to the States by operators of water supply systems and the 
repaid funds would be made available to meet additional needs.
  Second, it authorizes the use of a portion of the funds--up to 10 
percent--within the new accounts for source water quality protection 
programs consistent with nonpoint source management programs under the 
Clean Water Act. This will help prevent pollution and reduce treatment 
costs downstream, but without the use of any Federal, command-and-
control regulations.
  Over the coming weeks, we will be working with various stakeholders 
to further update and improve the bill. We intend to move this 
important legislation forward while working closely with the Commerce 
Committee as the House considers Safe Drinking Water Act legislation.

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