National Society of Professional Engineers Supports Passage of the Water Infrastructure Security and Research Development Act

(Alexandria, VA, November 15, 2001) --- The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) has announced their support of H.R. 3178, sponsored by Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (NY), to authorize the Environmental Protection Agency to provide funding to support research, development, and demonstration projects for the security of water infrastructure.

"The security of our nation's water infrastructure is vital to public health and safety," said Daniel D. Clinton, Jr., P.E., NSPE President. "The economic well being of the nation's industry, agriculture and commerce depends on clean and safe water," added Clinton.

NSPE has been a long time advocate of expanded federal investment in research and development. Cost sharing programs such as those envisioned in H.R. 3178 are not only cost effective but assist the targeting of scarce funds to important objectives and projects.

"We are confident this modest program will return significant dividends in enhanced security of our vital infrastructure and protection of our nation's water supply and ecosystems. It will also stimulate innovation and new products resulting in jobs, new private investment, and new systems, all of which will have applications in other sectors," Clinton said.

National economic studies indicate that the returns on federal R&D are substantially greater than the expenditure, especially where non-federal funds are required to match the federal contributions.

NSPE is the national society of engineering professionals from all disciplines that promotes the ethical and competent practice of engineering, advocates licensure, and enhances the image and well-being of its members. Founded in 1934, NSPE serves more than 59,000 members and the public through 53 state territorial societies and more than 500 chapters. For more information, please visit www.nspe.org

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