Washington, D.C.—The following are opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, from Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) during today’s hearing titled, “Clean Water Infrastructure Financing: State and Local Perspectives and Recent Developments.”
Videos of opening statements from Larsen and Napolitano can be found here and here.
More information on the hearing can be found here.
Ranking Member Larsen:
Thank you, Chairman Rouzer and Ranking Member Napolitano for holding this hearing on clean water infrastructure financing, and thank you to the witnesses for joining us today.
In June, I joined Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox in my district in Bellingham, Washington, to announce over $278 million in funding for water infrastructure for American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages.
These historic investments were the largest ever made by EPA to Tribes through regular appropriations funding.
Clean water is a human right that historically underserved communities, including Tribal communities, have lacked access to for far too long.
Investments like these made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will improve lives, level the playing field, and create jobs.
In the BIL, on a bipartisan basis, Congress affirmed its commitment to water infrastructure with significant investments—$14.4 billion in federal dollars for upgrading wastewater systems, preventing pollution and supporting restoration programs in places like the Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.
These investments are critical, providing a lifeline to communities across the country struggling to maintain water quality. Members who voted for the BIL voted for clean water.
House Democrats consistently support investments in water infrastructure to protect public health and the work EPA and other agencies do in support of this clean water mission.
In contrast, the House Republican Interior Appropriations bill proposes a two-thirds reduction in funding for the Clean Water SRF—a cut of over $1 billion.
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund, or Clean Water SRF, has been the linchpin of efforts to protect and improve water quality for over three decades.
I suspect that’s why, despite their differences, all the witnesses appearing before us today agree on the importance of Clean Water SRF funding. In just the last two years, in the district I represent, the Clean Water SRF has been used to upgrade aging sewer and water equipment, improve nutrient removal capabilities, and protect local groundwater supply.
I have toured, far too many to count, wastewater facilities in my district—the things you get to do when you’re a Member of Congress—and I can assure you that there is plenty more work that needs to be done.
From a $1.4 million SRF loan in Whatcom County to a $200,000 grant to the Lummi Tribe for engineering reviews, the Clean Water SRF is making a difference.
The Clean Water SRF, established in 1987, has been critical for countless communities striving to upgrade and maintain their water and wastewater infrastructure.
It has provided low-interest loans and grants to states and municipalities, allowing them to undertake vital projects that protect public health, preserve our natural resources, and stimulate economic growth.
Unfortunately, we have at times neglected to invest in our water infrastructure. Aging pipes, polluted waterways, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events have stretched our water and wastewater systems to the breaking point.
The most recent EPA report on wastewater infrastructure needs estimated we would need $271 billion over the next twenty years to continue to meet federal standards for water quality.
These challenges are not limited to one region; they affect communities from coast to coast and across the political spectrum.
Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $11.7 billion in supplemental appropriations for the Clean Water SRF will be provided through 2026, on top of what should be continued regular appropriations.
These investments are a down payment on transforming our nation’s wastewater infrastructure and their significance cannot be overstated.
This funding will enable communities large and small to embark on a new era of water infrastructure projects that will modernize our systems, improve water quality, and ensure the safety and health of our citizens.
The impact of this investment goes beyond the immediate benefits of improved water quality. It will also create jobs, stimulate local economies, and support American businesses.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law recognizes that investing in our water infrastructure is an investment in our future.
Thanks again to the Chairman and Ranking Member for holding this hearing, I look forward to the testimony.
Ranking Member Napolitano:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding today’s hearing to showcase the critical clean water investments made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Last Congress, House Democrats worked with the Biden administration to provide the largest investment in our nation’s crumbling infrastructure in over a generation.
With each dollar invested and each new water infrastructure project implemented, everyday Americans in your district and mine realize the benefits of the transformational Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with cleaner and safer water and a more resilient and more livable environment.
For example, in my congressional district, Los Angeles County is using BIL funding to carry out a list of long-awaited projects that benefit our community, our local economy, and the businesses and industries that rely on clean, safe, and resilient water for their success.
In just the past two years since the BIL was signed, Los Angeles County has announced numerous partnerships with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the State of California, and local utilities to invest in our water-related infrastructure.
In May of 2022, the County closed a $441 million WIFIA loan that will support the Clearwater Project—a joint water pollution control plant effluent outfall tunnel project that will reduce flooding risks and prevent the contamination of local drinking water sources.
In July of 2023, Los Angeles Sanitation District was awarded close to $2 million from EPA’s brownfields program that will allow the district to clean up oil-related contamination at a former industrial site to repurpose the property as a new wastewater recycling project.
Through both the BIL and the historic annual appropriations for the Clean Water SRF program, the County is moving forward on several wastewater and water recycling projects, including $266 million for the Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) will produce 19 million gallons per day of purified wastewater for groundwater recharge at Hansen Spreading Grounds in the San Fernando Valley—a major source of water supply for the City’s drinking water.
Mr. Chairman, these are just a few of the thousands of examples of critical water-related investments happening all across America because of the BIL.
And, because House Democrats specifically tailored these BIL investments to address the unique affordability concerns facing many minority, rural, and tribal communities, all Americans, regardless of zip code, can benefit from these investments and have access to clean, safe, and reliable drinking and wastewater services.
Yet, Mr. Chairman, I remain concerned with the direction our current House leadership is taking towards sustaining these critical investments in the future.
For example, the majority party has already pulled back from the bipartisan budget agreement reached earlier this year to avoid a governmental default, and now, on the precipice of a pointless government shutdown, is advocating for deeper, draconian cuts to programs that benefit hard working American families.
I am strongly opposed to the projected 40 percent cut to EPA’s budget advanced by the majority—and the likely equivalent reduction in protecting our nation’s clean water.
Mr. Chairman, as our witnesses today will reiterate, the strength of the American economy is reliant on a clean water.
It is a key ingredient for manufacturing, farming, food processing, small business development, tourism and recreational businesses. If we do not protect our nation’s waters, this will have a negative impact on business as they will not have the high-quality water they need for production and growth.
The decline of water quality will also require consumers, businesses, and residents to pay more in water utility bills to treat water before it comes to the tap.
Mr. Chairman, House Democrats proudly support continued investments in our clean water future. Now is not the time to pull back on federal investments in our wastewater infrastructure.
I welcome our panelists here today and look forward to their valued input.
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