AGC-Supported Water Infrastructure Trust Fund Legislation Introduced

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) has introduced the Water Infrastructure Investment Act with the support of senior Republicans on the water infrastructure authorizing Committees - Rep. Duncan (R-Tenn.), Rep. Whitfield (R-Ky.), Rep. Hanna (R-N.Y.) and Rep. Petri (R-Wis.).  The introduction of the bipartisan Water Infrastructure Financing Act is both important and timely as we look to potentially address shortfalls in our nation's infrastructure funding through ongoing Budget negotiations. Blumenauer’s legislation would establish the trust fund and then create a voluntary fee program where manufacturers of products that use significant amounts of water in production or produce materials that require special filtration from wastewater could choose to add a 3 cent surcharge per unit to their product to be deposited in the trust fund. In exchange, manufacturers would be allowed to display on the product a medallion or label indicating that purchase of the product helps contribute to America’s clean water infrastructure. It is unknown at this time how much money this voluntary approach will collect. AGC and its industry partners in the Water Infrastructure Network have been active and strong supporters of Congressman Blumenauer's Clean Water Trust Fund approach and strongly support the Water Infrastructure Investment Act. AGC will continue to recruit additional co-sponsors and build support for this measure. For more information, please contact Scott Berry at (703) 837-5321 or berrys@agc.org.