House lawmakers will discuss federal funding for water infrastructure at a hearing Tuesday featuring representatives of the construction industry and a Pacific Northwest-based tribe.
The hearing before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, chaired by Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), will focus on EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA).
Both programs provide financing for utilities and local governments to fix issues with their water infrastructure. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund offers grants and low-interest loans to manage stormwater runoff, reduce flooding and build sewage treatment systems. WIFIA is a federal credit program for drinking water and wastewater projects, including new water filtration plants and pipelines.
The hearing comes as EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin plans to significantly reduce the agency’s personnel and budget. He has proposed cutting EPA spending this year by at least 65 percent, which could mean less money available for grants and loans.
