[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6558]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE WATER QUALITY PROTECTION AND JOB CREATION ACT OF 
                                  2013

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 2013

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, today, I join with 27 of my 
colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation to make long, overdue 
investments in our nation's water infrastructure systems that will 
benefit both our communities and our economy.
  When it comes to America's infrastructure, the role of the Federal 
government is both critical and clear. Never has the need for Federal 
investment been greater, and in my district, perhaps more urgent both 
in the short term and long term.
  As the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure heard at its 
Water Resources and Development Act hearing last month, America's 
waterways related infrastructure projects are in drastic need of 
Federal investment that will create jobs and benefit our economy. So 
too, will federal investment in our wastewater infrastructure systems 
provide economic benefits and create jobs while rebuilding and 
expanding our treatment systems. For every $1 billion this nation 
spends on wastewater infrastructure it can create as many as 33,000 
jobs in communities across America while improving our public health 
and the environment. It is a win-win proposition.
  Around the country, states report a need of close to $300 billion in 
wastewater treatment, pipe replacement and repair, and stormwater 
management projects over the next twenty years. This need is especially 
pressing in many cities and communities where pipes and sewage 
treatment facilities are reaching the end of their expected useful 
life.
  Without a greater Federal investment, communities that cannot upgrade 
and expand their wastewater systems will find it harder to attract new 
business and build new homes. Existing businesses and homes will see 
treatment costs rise as short term fixes are sought. Current Federal 
appropriations that equal a small fraction of the identified need to 
modernize and repair these systems are clearly not sufficient. The time 
for a new approach to Federal investment and financing of these efforts 
is now.
  The ``Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2013'' we are 
introducing today is intended to provide the ``all of the above'' 
approach to water infrastructure investment and financing that will be 
needed to close our current funding gaps. The bill renews the Federal 
commitment to addressing our Nation's substantial needs for wastewater 
infrastructure by investing $13.8 billion in the State Revolving Funds 
over the next five years. For decades, the SRFs have been the 
traditional mechanism for Federal wastewater infrastructure assistance.
  Yet, also recognizing that significant additional resources will be 
necessary, the bill establishes two complementary new initiatives for 
the long-term, sustainable financing of wastewater infrastructure. The 
first is a direct loan and loan guarantee program and the second, a 
Clean Water Infrastructure Trust Fund. These proposals, when 
implemented in concert, would leverage billions of additional dollars 
to meet local wastewater infrastructure needs, create jobs, and protect 
our public health and environmental quality.
  Meeting the critical water infrastructure investment needs of our 
local communities is a bipartisan issue, and indeed, this bill has 
bipartisan support. Members from both sides of the aisle recognize that 
the investments that we make will benefit our local constituents, the 
economies of our towns, cities, and States, and provide the added 
benefit of protecting public health and the overall condition of the 
environment.
  I am pleased that this legislation has garnered bipartisan support 
for introduction, and I am also pleased that Republican and Democratic 
staff on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have had 
several productive meetings to discuss this issue and explore a 
collaborative path forward. I look forward to working with Chairmen 
Shuster and Gibbs and Ranking Member Rahall to advance long-term, 
sustained investment in our nation's wastewater infrastructure that has 
broad support from cities and communities around the country, industry, 
utilities, environmental groups, unions, equipment suppliers, and 
engineers.
  In short, Mr. Speaker, this bill is good for America and American 
workers, and I urge my colleagues to join myself and my fellow 
cosponsors in supporting this very important legislation.

                          ____________________