News

AGC Supported Water Trust Fund Legislation Introduced

On the eastern front of the U.S. Capitol Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to establish a Water Trust Fund. The “Water Protection and Reinvestment Act,” H.R.3202, establishes a $10 billion annual fund for repairing America’s corroded pipes and overburdened sewer systems, which pose serious health, environmental and security consequences. For a summary of the legislation click here. Establishing a “Trust Fund” for clean water and drinking water infrastructure is a top legislative priority for AGC of America and will address the serious gap in water infrastructure investment, which is estimated at $400-600 billion dollars over the next 20 years. This legislation is the result of years of work by AGC and the WIN Coalition and we are encouraged that the legislation has finally been introduced.  The goal of H.R. 3202 is to raise at least $10 billion annually thorough a series of user fees on bottled beverages, pharmaceuticals, flushables and other sources AGC CEO Steve Sandherr participated in the event and stated, “While our water infrastructure is often out of sight and out of mind, failures in the system threaten our health, our environment and our economy. That is why the 33,000 member companies of the Associated General Contractors of America, along with their millions of employees and families, support establishing a Water Trust Fund and doing it now.” Read AGC’s official statement here This legislation is subject to the jurisdiction of several congressional committees and AGC will continue to work with the WIN Coalition and other industry and congressional allies to ensure this legislation is successful and based on sound policy For more information, contact Perry L. Fowler at (703)837-5321 or fowlerp@agc.org.