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On July 27,  51���� sent letters to 27 federal agencies asking them to identify barriers to getting stimulus funds to contracts.  In a letter sent to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, 51���� CEO Steve Sandherr outlined 51����'s concerns with the slow progress of funds flowing to actual projects through EPA Recovery dollars for Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund programs. To date EPA has announced awards of $5.91 billion dollars to states and as of June 30,  EPA reported that nineteen states have put 195 projects out to bid totaling $512 million.  However, by their own admission, only $20-30 million or approximately 0.5% has actually been committed to SRF-funded projects in the form of contracts.   51���� has requested that EPA identify barriers to getting funding obligated to contracts for water infrastructure projects and asked that the EPA increase assistance to state and municipal water authorities in order to expedite contracts.Click here for a copy of the letter to EPA.For more information, contact Perry Fowler at (703) 837-5321 or fowlerp@agc.org

51���� Vice President Kris Young testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water and Natural Resources.

51���� Vice President Kris Young, President and CEO of Miller the Driller in Des Moines, Iowa, testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water and Natural Resources  regarding the GAO report titled “Opportunities and Challenges in the Creation of a Clean Water Trust Fund.”

On the eastern front of the U.S. Capitol Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to establish a Water Trust Fund. The “Water Protection and Reinvestment Act,” H.R.3202, establishes a $10 billion annual fund for repairing America’s corroded pipes and overburdened sewer systems, which pose serious health, environmental and security consequences.

51���� CEO Steve Sandherr called for the establishment of a water trust fund Wednesday during a press conference on Capitol Hill.  Congressman Earl Blumenauer invited 51���� to participate in the event in which he set the stage for a long-overdue debate on water infrastructure funding.

On March 12, 2009, The U.S. House of Representatives passed HR. 1262, the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009. This bill authorizes $19.4 billion over five years for wastewater infrastructure projects, including $13.8 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) and $2.5 billion for the sewer overflow control grants program.  On May 14, 2009, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed companion legislation in S.1005, the Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 2009. S. 1005 authorizes $38.9 billion for EPA water infrastructure programs over the next five years, and includes $20 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, $15 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program and $1.85 billion for Sewer Overflow Grants.New policy in both bills includes language applying Brooks Act qualifications based selection (QBS) for preconstruction design and engineering services with an exemption in S. 1005 for communities of 10,000 persons or less. Both bills also include Davis- Bacon prevailing wage requirements. Key differences between the bills beyond funding levels include changes the current State allocation formula for in the Clean Water SRF in the S. 1005. Largely due to 51���� and WIN Coalition lobbying efforts, S. 1005 does not include Buy American provisions included in HR. 1262 which are identical to requirements in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.Senate EPW staff has indicated that the Senate may consider of S. 1005 for a vote before the August recess and it is crucial that 51���� members write their Senators and urge them to bring this bill up for a vote in the Senate. Click here to visit the 51���� Legislative Action Center and write your Senator.

51���� of America will host our annual Joint Highway and Utility Contractors Issues meeting November 12-14, 2009 at the PGA  Resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. Registration and agenda information will be available soon!

51���� of America would like to recognize the 51���� of St. Louis for utilizing Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure to raise awareness about local water infrastructure needs.  In addition to working with various regional partners to support the broadcast of Liquid Assets, 51���� of St. Louis has worked with other groups, including the Missouri American Water, to establish a coalition to highlight local water infrastructure needs. To learn more about this effort please click here.If your company or Chapter would like to learn more about how to leverage Liquid Assets in your community, please click here.For a copy of the Liquid Assets DVD or additional information contact Perry L. Fowler at fowlerp@agc.org or (703) 837-5321.

On Thursday, June 18, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed S. 787 the Clean Water Restoration Act.  The legislation was offered as an amendment sponsored by Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Senator Max Baucus(D-Mont.) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Republican committee members criticized the bill as a substantial expansion of federal jurisdiction over water by removing the term "navigable" waterways.  Ranking Member Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Senator John Barasso (R-Wyo.) offered multiple unsuccessful amendments to address "negative impacts" on rural and agricultural communities.In a June 17, 2009, letter to EPW Committee members, 51���� opposed this legislation because it gives the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction over all wet areas-however remote or intermittent-and over all activities (e.g., construction) affecting those waters. Consequently, the bill would require construction contractors and project owners to obtain and be regulated by federal Clean Water Act permits far more frequently than is currently required.51���� will continue to fight this legislation as it is considered by the full Senate, which is uncertain. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) have placed "holds" on the legislation, making it unlikely that it will see floor time in the near future. Similar legislation in the House of Representatives has yet to be introduced, however T&I Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) has indicated his support for similar legislation in the House of Representatives.For additional information, contact Perry Fowler at (703)837-5321 or fowlerp@agc.org.

51���� has compiled a chart that contains information about EPA-funded stimulus projects on a state-by-state basis.  To date the EPA has distributed over $5.2 billion dollars to states including $864 million for American Indian and Alaska Native communities.  Click here to download a copy of the chart, which includes state intended use plans where available. Additionally, the EPA has recently identified Tribal Clean and Drinking Water Projects totaling $90 million dollars.Tribal Clean Water Projects (PDF)Tribal Drinking Water Projects (PDF)Unfortunately 51���� finds no evidence that a significant amount of contracts funded by EPA stimulus dollars are currently soliciting bids for a variety of reasons, including confusion about new regulatory requirements like the Buy American provisions and "green infrastructure" requirements that have not typically applied to the SRF programs. If you have information about issues causing delays in your stat,e it is critical that you communicate this information to 51���� of America or your local 51���� Chapter.  For additional information on the stimulus, please visit the 51���� of America Stimulus Web site by clicking here.For additional information, contact Perry Fowler at (703)837-5321 or fowlerp@agc.org.