NEWS from the T&I Committee
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
U.S. House of Representatives, 2165 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
www.house.gov/transportation
Hon. James L. Oberstar (Minn.), Chairman

For Immediate Release, Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Contact:  Mary Kerr, (202)225-6260

Oberstar, Johnson, Blumenauer Request
a GAO Study on a Clean Water Trust Fund

WASHINGTON—Three Congressional leaders on clean water are calling for a Government Accountability Office study of ways to meet the nation’s water infrastructure needs.  Rep. James L. Oberstar (Minn.), Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (Tex.), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Ore.), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, made the request in a letter today requesting a GAO study of potential funding sources to establish a Clean Water Trust Fund.

The letter requests that the study be completed no later than January 15, 2009.

“The Environmental Protection Agency’s own data shows that the ever-increasing need for water infrastructure investment is not being met.  Federal appropriations are on the decline, and I fully expect that the President’s budget request will, again, miss the mark on addressing the nation’s water infrastructure needs.  It is imperative that we address this funding gap for water systems now and into the future, because our aging infrastructure is literally crumbling,” said Oberstar.  “To guarantee consistent long-term funding for water infrastructure, we must identify a dedicated source of revenue that is both logical and sustainable.  We know it is possible, because we already have the Highway Trust Fund and Aviation Trust Fund.  Once a sustainable funding source for water infrastructure investment is identified, I hope to take up legislation creating a new Clean Water Trust Fund in the next Congress.”

“Government estimates show that $300-500 billion must be spent over the next 20 years in order to maintain and upgrade our nation’s water infrastructure, and there is concern that this infrastructure funding gap is widening.  It is time we make our domestic infrastructure a priority, and we must make the investment now.  While the House passed a bill last year that authorizes a study about funding sources for water systems, the legislation stalled in the Senate,” said Johnson.  “Because the need for investment is increasing every day, we are requesting that GAO study the issue now, rather than waiting for Senate action.  As an independent, nonpartisan agency, the GAO can identify appropriate sources of revenue that will lead to bipartisan legislation establishing a Clean Water Trust Fund.

Last year, the House passed H.R. 720, the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007, which authorizes $14 billion to capitalize the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program.  President Bush has threatened to veto this critical legislation. 

“While water infrastructure is often out of sight and out of mind, communities across the country, both urban and rural, are dealing with aging water infrastructure that is in need of repair, replacement, and upgrading,” said Blumenauer.  “The Federal government has historically played an important role in helping to pay for clean and safe drinking water, but the overall contribution to clean water has shrunk from 78% in 1978 to 3% today.  This is wrong. It’s time for Congress to start making the tough decisions about investment in water infrastructure.  I hope the GAO will be able to help identify sustainable, reliable, and dedicated revenue sources that can support a water trust fund.”

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