The Senate recently voted down a proposed bill aimed at creating a national financing fund that states could have accessed to fund necessary work on wastewater treatment plants.

The Senate blocked consideration of the bill in November, according to a report from Water World. Lawmakers who introduced the legislation had hoped to create a $10 billion National Infrastructure Bank, which would have offered loans at competitive rates for transportation and water projects.

The measure was a part of President Obama's "American Jobs Act," which he introduced in September. The president lobbied public officials to pass the bill in its entirety, but the $447 billion proposal has not made headway in either the Senate or the House.

Nevertheless, Maryland Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, along with California Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer, introduced a bill that, if passed, would help cities and municipalities throughout the U.S. upgrade wastewater treatment facilities and adapt infrastructure to meet federal and state water quality laws.

Ultimately, the bill would establish an Environmental Protection Agency grant program to finance such work. The American Metropolitan Water Association (AMWA) has developed similar legislation in the past, according to the news provider.


 

Posted on December 23rd, 2011 under Wastewater News, Water Regulations