The PA Infrastructure Group this week released its Fall Infrastructure Agenda for Pennsylvania, highlightedby the kick-off of a major public campaign--Vote YES For Clean Water-- to support passage of the Water andSewer Bond referendum on this coming November's election ballot.

The PAInfrastructure Group is a statewide coalition of more than 350 utilities,businesses, labor groups, non-profits and academic institutions formed atthis past April's inaugural Infrastructure Summit held in Harrisburg.

"Our sincere appreciation is extended to Gov. Ed Rendell and theentire State Legislature for their support and efforts in addressingPennsylvania's critical backlog of infrastructure repairs andenhancements," said Kelly Lewis, President of TechQuest Pennsylvania, whichorganized the Infrastructure Summit and now coordinates activities for theInfrastructure Group. "Their good efforts have resulted in nearly $1.5billion in state infrastructure improvement funding for this year, but muchmore is still needed."

Video Blog:Kelly Lewis Urges Support For November 4 Clean Water Referendum

Lewis said a major component of the Fall Infrastructure Agenda is thelaunch of a statewide campaign urging voters to support a water and sewerbond referendum on this November's General Election ballot. The Vote Yesfor Clean Water campaign seeks to garner one million supporters between nowand Election Day for the initiative, which allocates an additional $400million in state bond revenues for critical water and sewer system repairs.

"Repairing and enhancing Pennsylvania's water and sewer systems is criticalto both the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians, as well as ourCommonwealth's future economic stability and growth," said Lewis.

John Brosious,PA Municipal Authorities Association, said passage of the Clean Water Referendum November 4 is vital help needed by local wastewater and drinking water systems to meet Chesapeake Bay and other federal and state clean water mandates.

Many systems, Brosious said, are facing a doubling or tripling of their rates to meet these mandates and the Clean Water Referendum will help give local ratepayers much needed help.

Video Blog:John Brosious, PMAA, Urges Help For Local Ratepayers

The $400 million bond issue referendum is part of thePA Fair Share for Clean Water Coalitionproposal to help wastewater system ratepayers meet clean water mandates. Also part of the proposal are:

1. Reforms to the state’s nutrient credit trading program that will help to make it a viable alternative to provide for both environmental improvements to the Bay and sufficient future sewage capacity for new development(See related article);

2. $50 million in direct cost share aid to farmers to install conservation practices ($35 million for REAP farm tax credits and $15 million in cost share grants) (See related article.);

3. $10 million to county conservation district to expand technical assistance to farmers; and

4. $10 million to restore cuts to the Department of Agriculture budget in farm programs.

Rep. Joseph Preston(D-Allegheny), Majority Chair of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, said state investment in communications and water and sewer infrastructure is vital for Pennsylvania to remain competitive. He also said more coordination is needed between communication, natural gas, water and wastewater infrastructure operators to lower costs and modernize facilities.

Video Blog:Rep. Preston On The Need For Infrastructure Investments

J. Terrance Fitzpatrick, General Counsel for thePA Energy Generation Association, said investments are needed in Pennsylvania's electricity transmission infrastructure to fulfill the demands of customers. He also said it is necessary to keep Pennsylvania on a path toward a competitive market for electricity and said extending the existing electric rate caps that have been in place since 1996 would hurt investments in needed transmission facilities.

Video Blog:J. Terrance Fitzpatrick Urges Investment In Electric Infrastructure

Michael Love, President of thePennsylvania Energy Association, said investment in the state's natural gas distribution infrastructure is needed to replace 100-year old cast iron pipes in many areas. He supported a proposed natural gas distribution investment program know as DISC now used by drinking water systems.

Video Blog:Michael Love On Natural Gas Distribution Needs

Rep. Rick Geist(R-Blair), Minority Chair of the House Transportation Committee, spoke about the need for highway and bridge infrastructure investment needs.

Included in the Fall Infrastructure Agenda promoted by the PA Infrastructure Group are calls for newdistribution and collection system charges and expanded workforcedevelopment programs, increased tax credit initiatives and public-privatepartnerships (P3's).

The Agenda also provides recommendations for fundingthe broad proposal, with nearly $1 billion in public funds raised throughredirecting gaming proceeds to infrastructure projects, authorizing $150million in new borrowings, and changing state government practices forpension and other fund management that could generate hundreds of millionsin additional revenues.

For more information, visit thewww.PaFairSharePlan.org website.

9/26/2008