Senate, House Legislation Would Raise $350 Million A Year To Clean Up Polluted Water

Legislation introduced recently in the House and Senate would provide $350 million in dedicated funding annually for watershed restoration projects, help farmers install conservation measures, plant stream buffers, repair and update drinking water and wastewater systems, aquatic life habitat improvements and more.

Under the legislation, a Water Use Fund would be managed by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority to distribute the money to the watershed where the money was generated for local water improvement projects, such as storm water management and the installation of riparian buffers. 

It also would provide money to state agencies: $30 million for the Department of Environmental Protection, $25 million for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, $11 million for the Department of Agriculture, and $5 million for Fish & Boat Commission.

House Bill 20 (Sturla-D-Lancaster) and Senate Bill 868 (Muth-D-Chester) would charge extraordinary water users a nominal per-gallon fee for removing water from Pennsylvania waterways, either 1/100 of a cent per gallon ($0.0001) for those who return the water or 1/10 of a cent per gallon ($0.001) for those who never return it. 

Presently, this resource-- owned by taxpayers-- is given away free for the use of any one.

“For too long, Pennsylvania has allowed its precious water resource to be used for free by extraordinary water users who take over 8 billion gallons of water every day. Our legislation would raise $350 million annually to help state agencies, municipalities, watershed organizations and authorities improve water quality throughout our Commonwealth,” Rep. Sturla said.

“I am grateful to work with Representative Sturla on companion legislation to establish the Pennsylvania Water Resource Act and to ensure that our most precious natural resource is protected and safe to drink,” Sen. Muth said. “Our bill would allow the Commonwealth to invest in water improvement and stormwater management projects without placing any financial burden on residential and agricultural water consumers. Improving the quality and accessibility of clean water should be a priority for all legislators.”

This legislation was first announced by Rep. Sturla in 2015 and introduced in 2016 as House Bill 2114.  Read more here.

It was referred to as a potential funding source for a new Clean Water Fund for Pennsylvania by members of the Chesapeake Bay Commission in 2017.  Read more here.

A Clean Water Fund bill was announced in March of 2021-- Senate Bill 832 (Yaw-R-Lycoming)-- to allocate $250 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, but it includes a fake program to help reduce nutrient pollution and waste taxpayer money. Read more here.

Related Articles:

-- Going, Going, Gone... Senate, House Have Little Time To Act On Funding For Local Flood Prevention, Watershed Restoration, Recreation Projects

-- U.S. House Sends Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill To Biden’s Desk, Includes Largest-Ever Investment In Cleaning Up Abandoned Coal Mines - PA’s #1 Water Pollution Problem

[Posted: November 9, 2021]  PA Environment Digest