February 9, 2016
Diane VanDe Hei, Executive Director of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), released the following statement today in response to the President’s FY17 budget request:
"The President’s FY17 budget request delivers a mixed bag for the water utility community. On the positive side, the inclusion of $15 million to back loans offered through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) pilot program represents a milestone that should spur EPA to get the program up and running this year. But in other respects, the budget falls short.
"Given the spotlight the crisis in Flint has put on our nation’s drinking water infrastructure, it is disappointing that this year’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund request of $1.02 billion falls short of last year’s request of $1.186 billion. While we do appreciate that this year’s budget would increase the DWSRF funding above current levels, there remains room for improvement.
"Even more disappointing is that, despite the budget’s $157 million DWSRF increase, overall SRF funding would fall by more than $250 million due to proposed reductions to the Clean Water SRF. Simply shuffling funding between drinking water and clean water priorities is not a winning strategy to protect public health and the environment.
"AMWA looks forward to working with Congress to deliver robust and necessary funding for water infrastructure programs as the appropriations process gets underway in the coming weeks."