Government Relations

Rep. DeLauro Introduces National Infrastructure Development Bank Act with Broad Support

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), along with Reps. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and Steve Israel (D-NY), introduced the National Infrastructure Development Bank Act, H.R. 2521, with broad support from influential interest groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and labor groups AFL-CIO and SEIU.

Rep. DeLauro has long been a leader in developing policy that would encourage public-private partnerships and a sustainable effort to repair and maintain the infrastructure systems of the nation. This year, however, she has attracted important support for the creation of a bank, modeled after the European Investment Bank that would leverage private-sector dollars to invest in infrastructure projects. Namely, the Obama Administration’s budget and the Congressional Budget Resolution both include placeholders for the creation of such a bank.

Supporters of her bill applaud her foresight to turn “private ingenuity into public benefit” and to “provide a sustainable source of revenue from public-private partnerships.”

According to DeLauro’s office, The National Infrastructure Development Bank Act of 2009 would:

Create a National Infrastructure Development Bank: Modeled after the European Investment Bank and other development banks around the world, it would include an independent and objective Board of Directors to, among other things, make final infrastructure financing determinations; an Executive Committee to handle the day-to-day operations of the Bank; and Risk Management and Audit Committees to carefully manage risk and monitor the bank’s activities.

Attract Private Investment Toward Critical Infrastructure Projects: The bank Board would have the authority to, among other things, issue “public benefit” bonds; make loans and offer loan guarantees; and purchase and sell infrastructure-related loans and securities on the global capital market.

Depoliticize Infrastructure Investment: The Bank would consider infrastructure projects in the realm of transportation (i.e. highways, transit, inland waterways, rail and air travel), the environment (i.e. drinking and wastewater facilities and hazardous waste facilities); energy (i.e. renewable energy transmission and building efficiency); and telecommunications (i.e. broadband development). The Bank would objectively consider the economic, environmental, social benefits and costs of infrastructure projects, as well as other specific criteria, and fund projects of significance.

Capitalize a Bank: The bank is capitalized with authorized appropriations of $5 billion a year for 5 years as paid in capital, like the Obama budget, and a total of $250 billion in total subscribed capital available from the Treasury if needed.

The National Association of Water Companies was an early supporter of Rep. DeLauro’s bill in 2008 and is reviewing the bill in hopes of renewing its support.

Reps. Holt and Miller Hope to Sustain the Momentum of EPA’s WaterSense Program

Reps. Rush Holt (D-NJ) and George Miller (D-CA) have introduced H.R. 2368 that would expand EPA’s successful WaterSense program to encourage the manufacturing and sale of water-efficient consumer products. The Holt-Miller bill would authorize WaterSense a permanent EPA program and provide additional funding for the program.

Modeled off of the well-known EnergyStar program, WaterSense evaluates and labels high-performance water efficient products and allows consumers to easily identify them on the shelf by creative branding.

The Holt-Miller bill also directs the federal government to lead by example by purchasing water-efficient products and services. Additionally, the bill would provide funding for local, regional and utility-level rebate and incentive programs that help consumers buy products and services that save water.

NAWC Works to Further the Goals of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act

As part of a long-standing commitment to improving equitable access to affordable and safe drinking water, and sanitation in developing countries as a component of U.S. foreign assistance, NAWC has joined a coalition to improve the United States Government’s capacity to fully implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 and thereby provide 100 million people with first-time access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have introduced bills S. 624 and H.R. 2030, respectively, that would improve upon the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005. NAWC plans to work with these congressional offices and other industry, environmental and nonprofit groups to promote the passage of these bills.

NAWC believes that it is important for communities in developing countries to receive start-up funding that can be used to tailor the water supply and treatment system to each individual community. In the developing world, water systems must be fully sustainable, and able to be inexpensively implemented and maintained by the local community.

Federal Lawmakers Approve Meds-In-Water Study Measure

The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has approved a measure by Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY) calling for a federal study on the presence of trace amounts of pharmaceuticals in drinking water and their long-term health effects, according to a May 14 press release from the senator’s office.

The release says the committee agreed on a voice vote to add the measure to the Water Infrastructure Financing Act, a bill on federal funding for water projects.

Gillibrand introduced the amendment in response to reports of trace levels of pharmaceuticals, such as estrogen and codeine, found in waterways around the country. The legislation was prompted by a March 2008 Associated Press investigation reporting the presence of antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones, among other drugs, in drinking water.

Gillibrand’s provision requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to study the presence of pharmaceuticals and personal-care products in water; identify exactly what is found and at what level; identify the source; and study how to control, limit, treat or prevent the substances from entering our drinking water. The EPA will have two years to produce the study.