NACo Analysis: Senate Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act
Upcoming Events
Related News
On March 24, 2021, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works unanimously advanced S. 914, the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (DWWIA). DWWIA currently has twelve bipartisan cosponsors and includes $35 billion in funding for water development projects across the country with a focus on upgrading aging infrastructure, addressing the threat of climate change, investing in new technologies, and aiding marginalized communities. The programs in the bill are authorized at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
On March 23, 2021, NACo sent a joint letter with the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors supporting this legislation.
With broad bipartisan support, we expect this bill to pass the Senate this year. With President Biden’s recent announcement of his American Jobs Plan, we expect Congress to use DWWIA as a framework for the water infrastructure title of the bill that Congress uses to try and pass the American Jobs Plan. The House introduced similar legislation to address our nation’s water infrastructure needs.
This analysis highlights key provisions for county governments.
Resource
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction Act
Related News
Research Reveals National Road Funding Crisis as County Leaders Urge Congressional Action
Research released today by the National Association of Counties (NACo) underscores a national road funding crisis and the large role counties play in the U.S. transportation network, as infrastructure investment needs outpace available revenue due to aging infrastructure, rising construction costs and weakened purchasing power. The American Society of Civil Engineers projects a $684 billion national funding shortfall for roads over the next decade, of which counties own a significant share.
House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee advances bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill
On May 17, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) introduced the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act (BUILD America 250 Act), a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize surface transportation programs through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for five years. After continuous advocacy from NACo, county leaders and coalition partners, the BUILD America 250 Act contains a number of key county priorities.
NACo endorses bill to support, finance transit-oriented development projects
On April 20, NACo endorsed the Build Housing, Unlock Benefits and Services (Build HUBS) Act (H.R. 7062/S. 3636).