House Transportation & Infrastructure Panel to Discuss Sewage Funding Increase

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee is set to tackle legislation that would reauthorize the sewer overflow control grants program, according to E&E Daily.

Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) and Dave Camp (R-Mich.) introduced H.R. 895, which would double the amount of funding authorized for sewage infrastructure over the next five years.

The legislation would authorize $250 million for fiscal 2010. That amount would increase in $50 million increments every year, ending with $500 million in fiscal 2014. Fiscal 2010 funding would be distributed to municipalities, after which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator would disburse money to the states according to a need-based formula.

Projects receiving grants under the bill would be subject to the same requirements as those receiving funding from a state water pollution control revolving fund.

The full committee will discuss fiscal 2010 budget estimates March 5. Members are expected to emphasize the need for more water treatment and navigational infrastructure funding.

Source: E&E Daily