A summary of recent NSPE
government relations activities
NSPE Submits Water Infrastructure Statements
In statements submitted to the Senate Environment & Public
Works Committee and the House Transportation on the water infrastructure
bills (S.B. 1961 and H.B. 3930), NSPE noted the necessity of authorizing
funding for safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, and related
infrastructure needs. Such funding on the 30th anniversary of the Clean
Water Act, is critical for two reasons: the need to assure the security of
the nation's critical water infrastructure as part of homeland security
and the positive impact this investment will have on the economy by
creating jobs and expanding manufacturing and technology, as well as
meeting continuing environmental quality standards.
NSPE is a founding member of the Water Infrastructure Network, which
has identified an annual spending gap for water infrastructure needs
estimated at $23 billion per year for the next 20 years, with the federal
share of the shortfall at $57 billion. While we support the higher figure,
NSPE applauded the proposed $35 billion authorization as a substantial
step in the right direction.
NSPE's comments focused on three areas: the State Revolving Fund (SRF)
program; deficiencies of construction grants and concerns that S. 1961 and
HR 3930 may be revisiting deficiencies that were previously put aside; and
alternative suggestions for certain provisions in the bill.
NSPE endorsed the effort to remove federal administrative burdens,
which hinder accessibility to the SRF program and discourage the use of
SRF-financed loans. The states, having been given the primary
responsibility for implementing the SRF program, should also be given the
maximum flexibility to operate it as they see fit, so long as they achieve
the goals of the Clean Water Act. We applauded the committees for granting
the states some flexibility for funding of negative interest loans and
principal forgiveness.
We acknowledged that small and economically disadvantaged communities,
as well as large systems serving significant segments of low income areas,
are finding it difficult to obtain financing or have bonded themselves to
the limit of their financial capability. To address these situations, NSPE
called for legislation and implementing rules that facilitate the ability
of these disadvantaged communities to obtain SRF loans. NSPE suggested
that the committee enhance these programs in the bill that provide the
equivalent of grants to small and large economically disadvantaged
communities for water investment projects. One way is to lift the cap on
private activity bonds, which communites use to finance many
infrastructure investments at below market rates.
In its statement and follow-up letter to members of the Senate
Environment & Public Works Committee, NSPE offered several
recommendations. These addressed the bill's purpose, eligible projects,
modifications to the Safe Drinking Water Act, dated procurement language,
and a proposed study of rate structures by the National Academy of
Sciences.
In formal testimony before both committees, Benjamin Grumbles, the
Environmental Protection Agency's deputy assistant administrator for
water, said the Bush administration opposes the authorization of $35
billion for Clean and Safe Water SRFs over five years called for in the
Senate bill, and $20 billion for Clean Water SRF in the House bill,
because it is inconsistent with the president's budget and spending
priorities for defense and security. He told the committee that the
administration supports many aspects of both bills but not the proposed
funding levels. The president's budget requests $2 billion for FY03 for
both SRFs.
Grumbles said the administration supported the bill's efforts to apply
certain aspects of the drinking water SRF to the clean water SRF. The bill
contains provisions on capacity development, prioritizing projects based
on needs, and asset management requirements.
NSPE Takes Part in AAES Public Policy
The American Association of Engineering Societies, which NSPE
recently rejoined, established its 2002 legislative priorities at a
meeting of the Public Policy Committee attended by NSPE Executive Director
Pat Natale and Government Relations Director Larry Bory. Two issues were
identified as first priority, which all AAES members can endorse: greater
balance in the federal research portfolio and K-12 math, science, and
engineering partnerships funding.
Recent National Science Foundation data show a growing disparity in the
federal research portfolio. The latest data indicate that federal agencies
obligated a record $19.9 billion for academic science and engineering
activities in FY00—an increase of $1.8 billion or 10 percent over FY99.
Federal support for academic science and engineering activities primarily
funds research and development projects. In FY00 the government funded
$17.3 billion worth of R&D. Of that amount $10.5 billion was directed
at the Department of Health & Human Services, which includes the
National Institutes of Health. Participants in the Public Policy
Coordinating Committee (PPCC) meeting agreed to work toward a greater
balance between the biological and physical sciences in federal funding.
During the next decade, the U.S. demand for scientists and engineers is
expected to increase at more than double the rate for all other
occupations. The need for a technological and scientifically literate
population is essential for our economy and our national security. But
today's high school students are not performing well in math and science
overall, and a decreasing number of American students are pursuing degrees
in technical fields. To help address this problem, Congress established
the Math and Science Partnerships in the No Child Left Behind Act. That
legislation authorized $450 million for the partnerships. However,
Congress appropriated just $12.5 million in Department of Education funds
for them and the president's 2003 budget request is the same as 2002. The
AAES will work to seek full funding for the partnerships.
Other issues that one or more AAES members will take the lead on
include energy, national disaster response, aeronautical R&D,
retirement security/pension reform, and federal funding for transportation
and water infrastructure. However, the full PPCC will be asked to endorse
the positions.
