[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 114 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO REAUTHORIZE THE CLEAN WATER STATE 
                             REVOLVING FUND

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                           HON. SUE W. KELLY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 5, 1999

  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for the purpose of introducing 
legislation to reauthorize one of our most important environmental 
infrastructure programs. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) was 
created by Congress in 1987 to enhance the federal government's effort 
to achieve the Clean Water Act's objective of restoring and maintaining 
the integrity of our nation's waters. The program was enacted out of 
the need for a funding mechanism which allowed the federal government 
to be responsive to the nation's considerable wastewater infrastructure 
needs, and also afforded states a necessary degree of flexibility in 
addressing their own particular needs. Since implementing the SRF, 
Congress has appropriated nearly $16 billion to states, who in turn 
have been able to provide nearly $24 billion in loans for wastewater 
infrastructure maintenance and construction. The impact of this 
investment on the livability of our communities is immeasurable. In his 
testimony before the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and 
Environment, New York Governor George Pataki reflected on the benefits 
brought to his state by the SRF program, calling it ``the most 
successful federally sponsored infrastructure financing program ever.''
  Mr. Speaker, the time is now that we act to ensure a stable federal 
funding source that attempts to reflect state and local needs. The 
authorization for this program expired in 1994, leaving it susceptible 
to the whims of the budget and appropriations process. As evidence of 
this, one need only look at the President's proposal for the SRF in the 
FY 2000 budget. If enacted, his proposal of $800 million would amount 
to a $550 million cut compared to the enacted FY 99 level of $1.35 
billion. A significant cut such as this would be particularly 
problematic at a time when the need for this investment is enormous. 
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that in the next 20 years 
the country faces wastewater infrastructure needs of more than $139.5 
billion, a figure acknowledged by most to be a conservative estimate. 
These documented needs exist in rural and urban areas in every state. 
The expense to our environment and the taxpayers will only increase the 
longer we procrastinate in addressing these needs.
  We need to demonstrate a strong commitment to safe and livable 
communities. I feel this legislation marks an important stride in this 
effort. I would like to thank my good friend and colleague, 
Representative Ellen Tauscher of California, for her assistance on this 
legislation, and I certainly hope that our colleagues will join us in 
the effort to reauthorize the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

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