For Immediate Release
Contact: Madeline Kauffman
Vice President
Banner Public Affairs
mkauffman@bannerpublicaffairs.com
202-750-7509
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July. 23, 2024) – The American Business Water Coalition (ABWC), a coalition established to address the critical need for more federal investment into our nation’s water infrastructure, strongly urges members of Congress to vote “no” on the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill on the floor this week.
This legislation makes dangerous cuts to water infrastructure investment across the United States, including an over $600 million cut to the Environmental Protection Agencies' (EPA) Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs), which aim to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable water services for all Americans.
“While there are many important, targeted pots of funding for specific water infrastructure issues, the SRFs are the largest source of federal funding for water infrastructure and therefore the most effective mechanism by which Congress can chip away at the water infrastructure financing gap and ensure critical water infrastructure projects in communities across the country don't go unfunded,” said Mae Stevens, chief executive officer of ABWC. “We strongly request members vote against this bill, and instead prioritize increasing federal investment in water infrastructure across the board.”
It is estimated that restoring the country’s water systems to meet the needs of the population will cost at least $1 trillion over the next 25 years. Without a dramatic increase in federal investment, every business and community in America is at risk. It is crucial for Congress to prioritize investments that improve the safety and reliability of drinking water and wastewater systems across the United States.
To learn more about ABWC’s policy platform, click here.
