Chicago, IL (November 6, 2021) – Late last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill). In response, Alliance for the Great Lakes Director of Federal Relations Don Jodrey released the following statement:
“We are encouraged to see the House pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which will become law upon President Biden’s signature. The bill includes major funding commitments that will benefit the Great Lakes states and its citizens – including $62 billion for water infrastructure improvements nationwide over the next five years and $1 billion for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
More specifically, we are happy to see increased funding for clean water and drinking water state revolving funds ($37.2 billion); lead service line replacement ($15 billion); and PFAS mitigation ($10 billion). We appreciate the bipartisan negotiations in the Senate that produced this important piece of legislation.
Everyone in the United States deserves access to safe, clean and affordable drinking water. While this bill will certainly help that goal become reality, there is more to be done: The U.S. EPA has estimated that $188 billion over the next 20 years will be needed for improvements, upgrades and repairs to water infrastructure in the Great Lakes states alone. The cost to fully replace every lead service line in the country is estimated at $45 billion, which exceeds the funds made available by both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and Build Back Better legislation.
The Alliance for the Great Lakes remains committed to working with the Biden administration and members of Congress to ensure that funding for this important work is fully secured and that our precious natural resources are restored and protected for future generations.”
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Media contact: Please connect with our media team at TeamGreatLakes@mrss.com.