Oregon Democratic Representative Earl Blumenauer introduced the latest version of long-discussed legislation to establish a wastewater trust fund in late November.
Unlike previous versions of the measure, the “Water Trust Fund Act” (H.R. 3582) would not rely on new tax increases for funding. Instead, a new voluntary program would allow consumer product manufacturers to place a small label on their products explaining the company is “contributing to America’s clean water.” For each unit displaying such a label, companies would pay 3 cents into the trust fund. Blumenauer’s office has not provided an official estimate of how much money they believe the program could raise annually.
Eighty-five percent of money deposited into the trust fund would support the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF). The Treasury Department would use the remaining fifteen percent to “establish an innovative financing program” for wastewater infrastructure projects based on the Department of Transportation’s TIFIA program. The legislation provides few additional details on the workings of this program, though it would only aid projects already eligible for CWSRF assistance. Additionally, unlike the separate AMWA-supported WIFIA proposal, Blumenauer’s program would not prioritize large-scale projects expected to cost above $20 million.
Drinking water infrastructure projects would not be eligible for any assistance through H.R. 3582 – partly due to weak support for the trust fund concept among members of the drinking water community.
There have been no indications that House leaders plan to act on H.R. 3582 in the foreseeable future. AMWA was not involved with drafting the bill, as the association remains focused on enacting a more comprehensive WIFIA program targeting large-scale drinking water and wastewater projects.