GAO Releases Report on Water Infrastructure Bank to T&I Committee

The enormous investment gap in water infrastructure has caused many in the private sector and Congress to re-evaluate traditional funding and seek out infrastructure financing alternatives. A recent EPA Clean Water Infrastructure surveyverified EPA estimates exceeding $600 billion over twenty years for clean water and drinking water combined.  AGC of America and the WIN Coalition have been steadfast supporters of the "Trust Fund" concept in H.R. 3202, the "Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2009," because it would provide deficit neutral dedicated and sustainable revenues for water infrastructure while continuing to capitalize state SRF programs.  Other legislative efforts, such as removing the cap on Private Activity Bonds, have also been promoted by AGC and others as a way bridge the gap by providing more access to private capital. The GAO recently issued a report to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee titled "Wastewater Infrastructure Financing: Stakeholder Views on a National Infrastructure Bank and Public-Private Partnerships." AGC was one of 23 national organizations surveyed for the report, which is inconclusive regarding alternative project financing, but demonstrative of the varying views in the water infrastructure community. While the study does not make any specific policy recommendations it is another insightful look at additional water infrastructure financing options. To view the reports please visit http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-728. For more information, contact Scott Berry at (703) 837-5368 or berrys@agc.org.