Guest Columns

In June, SWIC members joined PAB bill sponsors Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) to discuss their water and wastewater finance legislation, the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act of 2014, H.R. 4237 and S.2345.

On May 15, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) reintroduced the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act to the Senate. The bill is identical to the water private activity bond (PAB) legislation introduced by Reps. John Duncan (R-Tenn.) and Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) in March.

On June 2, SWIC members joined PAB bill sponsors Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) to hear the Congressmen outline and discuss their water and wastewater finance legislation, the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act of 2014, H.R. 4237 and S.2345.

SWIC applauds the introduction of the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act of 2014 (H.R. 4237) in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 13. The bipartisan legislation would amend the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the volume cap for private activity bonds (PABs) shall not apply to bonds for facilities for furnishing of water and sewage facilities.

With pivotal water infrastructure legislation in the balance, more than 130 water utility leaders from 46 states traveled to Capitol Hill on April 1 to advocate for the creation of a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority during the AWWA?s Water Matters! Fly-In.

For nearly three years, numerous U.S. water companies, organizations and advocates have lobbied Congress to reintroduce a significant piece of legislation to assist in the financing of water and sewer projects in the United States.

The Sustainable Water Infrastructure Coalition (SWIC) had a busy and productive year in 2013. SWIC members joined industry groups to help save tax-exempt municipal bonds and lay the groundwork for the introduction of the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act.

SWIC joined the Chronicles Group in hosting water documentary film screenings and speaker panels of Members of Congress and water leaders at the U.S. Capitol in November. Water summit special guest, Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), began the program and encouraged support for his private activity bond legislation that would provide $50 billion in private capital investment in water and wastewater infrastructure and create more than one million jobs.

The push to remove caps on Private Activity Bonds (PABs) continues to make its way slowly through Congress. Continuing to lead the charge in the House of Representatives are Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) and Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), who have worked hard to educate members of the House Ways and Means Committee.

SWIC MEMBER SPOLIGHT: McWane, Inc. McWane, Inc. is a former chair of SWIC and is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of iron water works and plumbing products. The company manufactures products including ductile iron pipe and fittings, fire hydrants, cast iron soil pipe andRead More