As the Trump administration continues to freeze federal funds for environmental projects, some in the water sector see an ally for their funding needs in the president’s nominee to lead EPA’s Office of Water.
As a GOP aide on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Jessica Kramer helped craft the water funding provisions included in the infrastructure law. Enacted in 2021, the law set aside roughly $50 billion to fix aging water pipes and treatment plants and remove toxic pollutants.
Funding from the law is now in question under President Donald Trump. He has vowed to end climate and environmental programs created during the Biden administration and continues to withhold some funds tied to the infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Still, Kramer’s nomination suggests that federal dollars for water projects could be spared from the defunding blitz, said Mike McGill, president of WaterPIO, a communications firm that works with utilities.
