Rep. Blumenauer Champions Water Infrastructure Upgrades

Kudos to Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) for leading the fight to expand public investment in clean water and sewer infrastructure upgrades.

We haven't seen an official estimate, but expect this bill would likely create tens of thousands of jobs in communities across the country, and bolster strapped local governments who can't afford the investment without federal help.

American Rivers Applauds Introduction of Multi-Billion Dollar Water Trust Fund CommonDreams.org:

"American Rivers today applauded Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) for introducing legislation that establishes a Water Trust Fund to invest in fixing the nation's outdated drinking water and sewage treatment systems. The bipartisan legislation, the Water Protection and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 3202), establishes a $10 billion annual fund for repairing America's aging pipes and overburdened sewer systems, which pose serious threats to public health and the environment, and the security of the nation's communities.

American Rivers is particularly supportive of the legislation's emphasis on green infrastructure approaches that protect, restore and repair natural systems, and use water efficiently. These approaches have far-reaching benefits - they save money and energy, reduce stormwater runoff and sewage overflows, recharge drinking water supplies, create appealing natural areas for community enjoyment, and help communities prepare for climate change.

Communities are struggling to fill the Environmental Protection Agency-estimated $500 billion backlog of critical water infrastructure necessary to protect public health and the environment -- infrastructure that will be stressed further by climate change."

Read rest of press release

Posted by Chuck Bell at 6:42 PM