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October 9,
2001 |
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Environment and Public Works Committee Members Weigh-In
on Stimulus Package WASHINGTON, D.C. --
Eleven members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee,
led by Chairman Jim Jeffords, I - Vt. and Ranking Member Bob Smith,
R - NH, today sent a letter to Senate leaders outlining programs
within the jurisdiction of the Committee that could be included in
an economic stimulus package.
Signing the letter are: U.S. Sens. Jim Jeffords, I - Vt., Bob
Smith, R - NH, Harry Reid, D - Nev., John Warner, R - Va., Bob
Graham, D - Fla., Hilary Rodham Clinton, D - NY, James Inhofe, R -
Ok., Jon Corzine, D - NJ, Michael Crapo, R - Idaho., Lincoln Chafee,
R - RI, Arlen Specter, R - Pa.
Attached is a copy of the letter.
October 9, 2001
Dear Senators Daschle and Lott:
As you develop an economic stimulus package, there are a number
of programs within the jurisdiction of the Environment and Public
Works Committee which could be included in such a proposal. We make
this request guided by the principles that a stimulus package should
be targeted to address the needs of those affected by recent events,
should increase near and long-term employment, and must carefully
avoid large increases in deficit spending.
We have identified five specific programmatic areas within our
jurisdiction that are appropriate for inclusion and would abide by
the principles articulated above:
1. Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Implemented by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Disaster Unemployment
Assistance Program provides payments to those directly impacted by a
disaster. It is critical to those affected by the recent attacks
that this program be modified to ensure that statutory or
administrative deadlines not operate to deny compensation. We are
currently developing specific recommendations on needed changes to
this disaster unemployment program.
2. Transportation Investment. Investment in our nation's
transportation infrastructure can play a critical role in our
efforts to reinvigorate the economy. Through spending on roads,
bridges and other transportation capital, we create jobs and
stimulate economic activity for both the near and mid-term.
Infrastructure improvements enhance our communities, increase the
value of property and promote additional investment. With a useful
life of many decades, transportation investments afford a continued
and steady return. In recognition of these opportunities, we are
proposing a $5 billion one-time increase of federal highway
obligation authority to states. The funds would be distributed under
existing formulas and would generally be governed by existing
program requirements. This investment would create roughly 75,000
jobs within the first year and an additional 100,000 jobs in the
following year. Additional investment in our highways and bridges,
together with increased funding of our transit and rail
infrastructure, would yield a balanced transport system supporting
economic growth, improved productivity and more livable communities.
3. Environmental Remediation. The Formerly Utilized Sites
Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) implemented by the Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps) is a civil works program which provides important
hazardous and radioactive waste cleanup activities at sites once
involved in the nation's early nuclear weapons program. The program
operates at roughly a 60% spend out rate. FUSRAP cleanups are in
various stages at 46 sites around the nation, but are chronically
underfunded. The Corps estimates that it could expend an additional
$30 million in FUSRAP cleanups in FY02.
4. Flood Control, Navigation, Restoration and Shoreline
Protection. The Corps also engages in more traditional activities in
the area of flood control, navigation, environmental restoration and
shoreline protection. The Corps estimates that ongoing construction
projects in these areas are artificially constrained by budgetary
limitations. Without such constraints, it is estimated that $1.2
billion could be expended in FY02 on current projects.
5. Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure. Although
Americans take clean, safe water for granted, our drinking and
wastewater infrastructure is in disrepair throughout the nation,
with literally billions of dollars in documented critical needs.
This has been a consistent area of Committee attention and
investigation over the last several years. The Environmental
Protection Agency operates State Revolving Funds (SRF) for
wastewater and drinking water to provide assistance to states and
localities seeking to meet these needs. As increasingly more
stringent Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act requirements
have been instituted in recent years, however, a consensus has
developed around the principle that the federal government must do
more to assist communities meet these requirements. Accelerating
improvements in the security of clean water and drinking water is
also imperative. In that connection, we recommend funding between $1
and $5 billion in Federal matching grants to states and
municipalities for the purpose of upgrading this critical, but aging
and failing infrastructure.
We appreciate your consideration of our request, and offer you
our continued assistance should the Senate move forward with a
stimulus package. We believe that if carefully crafted to avoid
long-term budget deficits, appropriate infrastructure investment can
translate into a direct investment in our people, our communities
and our future as a nation.
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