[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S1072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. VOINOVICH:
  S. 252. A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to 
authorize appropriations for State water pollution control revolving 
funds, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and 
Public Works.
  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Clean 
Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 2001, legislation which will 
reauthorize the highly successful, but undercapitalized, Clean Water 
State Revolving Loan Fund, SRF Program administered by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA.
  As many of my colleagues know, the Clean Water SRF Program is an 
effective and immensely popular source of funding for wastewater 
collection and treatment projects. Congress created the Clean Water SRF 
Program in 1987 to replace the direct grants program that was enacted 
as part of the landmark 1972 Federal Water Pollution Control Act, or, 
as it is known, the Clean Water Act. State and local governments have 
used the Federal Clean Water SRF to help meet critical environmental 
infrastructure financing needs. The program operates much like a 
community bank, where each state determines which projects get built.
  The performance of the Clean Water SRF Program has been spectacular. 
Total federal capitalization grants have been nearly doubled by non-
federal funding sources, including state contributions, leveraged 
bonds, and principal and interest payments. Communities of all sizes 
are participating in the program, and approximately 7,000 projects 
nationwide have been approved to date.
  As in many states, Ohio has needs for public wastewater system 
improvements which greatly exceed typical Clean Water SRF funding 
levels. For instance, in fiscal year 2001, a level of $1.35 billion was 
appropriated for the Clean Water SRF. However, in Ohio alone, about $4 
billion of improvements have been identified as necessary to address 
combined serve overflow, CSO, problems, according to the latest state 
figures. The City of Akron, for example, has proposed a Long Term 
Control Plan that will cost more than $248 million to implement--nearly 
20 percent of the total SRF level appropriated in fiscal year 2001. 
Because of Akron's CSO problem, city sewer rates will more than double 
without outside funding.
  Further, estimates indicate that among Ohio towns with a population 
of less than 10,000, there exists $1.2 billion in CSO needs. In recent 
years, Ohio cities and villages have been spending more on maintaining 
and operating their systems in order to stave-off the inevitable 
upgrades. Nevertheless, their systems are aging and will need to be 
replaced.
  While the Clean Water SRF Program's track record is excellent, the 
condition of our nation's overall environmental infrastructure remains 
alarming. A 20-year needs survey conducted by the EPA in 1996 
documented $139 billion worth of wastewater capital needs nationwide. 
In 1999, the national assessment was revised upward to nearly $200 
billion, in order to more accurately account for expected sanitary 
sewer needs. This amount may be too small; private studies demonstrate 
that total needs are closer to $300 billion when anticipated 
replacement costs are considered.
  Authoziation for the Clean Water SRF expired at the end of fiscal 
year 1994, and the continued failure of Congress to reauthorize the 
program sends an implicit message that wastewater collection and 
treatment is not a national priority. The longer we have an absence of 
authorization of this program, the longer it creates uncertainty about 
the program's future in the eyes of borrowers, which may delay or, in 
some cases, prevent project financing. In order to allow any kind of 
substantial increase in spending, reauthorization of the Clean Water 
SRF program is necessary in the 107th Congress.
  The bill that I am introducing today will authorize a total of $15 
billion over the next five years for the Clean Water SRF. Not only 
would this authorization bridge the enormous infrastructure funding 
gap, the investment would also pay for itself in perpetuity by 
protecting our environment, enhancing public health, creating jobs and 
increasing numerous tax bases across the country. Additionally, the 
bill will provide technical and planning assistance for small systems, 
expand the types of projects eligible for loan assistance, and offer 
financially-distressed communities extended loan repayment periods and 
principal subsidies. The bill also will allow states to give priority 
consideration to financially-distressed communities when making loans.
  The health and well-being of the American public depends on the 
condition of our nation's wastewater collection and treatment systems. 
Unfortunately, the facilities that comprise these systems are often 
taken for granted absent a crisis. Let me assure my colleagues that the 
costs of poor environmental infrastructure cannot be ignored and the 
price will pay for continued neglect will far exceed the authorization 
level of this bill. Now is the time to address our infrastructure needs 
while the costs are manageable.
  In just over a decade, the Clean Water SRF Program has helped 
thousands of communities meet their wastewater treatment needs. My bill 
will help ensure that the Clean Water SRF Program remains a viable 
components in the overall development of our nations' infrastructure 
for years to come. I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this 
legislation, and I urge its speedy consideration by the Senate.
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