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Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, nominated by President Trump to lead the agency on a permanent basis, went before the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on January 16 for his formal confirmation hearing. In his testimony to the panel, Acting Administrator Wheeler spoke favorably about several water infrastructure programs that are ongoing priorities of AMWA.

Wheeler’s written statement provided to the committee said that under his acting leadership EPA has “made safe drinking water a top priority.” As one example, he noted that the agency has thus far doled out seven loans under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program, totaling over $1.5 billion and “creating over 6,000 jobs.”  Wheeler further noted that EPA recently invited 39 additional projects across the country to apply for another $12 billion in WIFIA loans.

When questioned by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) about the urgency of global climate change, Wheeler said that he “believe(s) in adaptation,” and suggested that WIFIA could also be a mechanism to help communities prepare their water infrastructure from climate impacts like rising sea levels.

Wheeler also applauded a program created by Congress in 2016, with AMWA’s support, that would help communities and low-income homeowners replace lead service lines. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) noted to Wheeler that Congress appropriated an initial $10 million for the new Lead Service Line Replacement Grant Program in the 2018 fiscal year, and asked whether Wheeler would commit to standing up the program. In response, Wheeler said “absolutely” and called it “an important part of our lead strategy.” Wheeler said the agency will work to get lead service lines replaced “as quickly as possible.”

EPW Committee leaders have said the panel will vote on Wheeler’s nomination on February 5. The GOP-dominated committee is expected to easily advance the nomination to the full Senate.