The referendum asks voters if they support allocating $400 million to help communities throughout the Commonwealth fund necessary upgrades to wastewater and drinking water facilities. In many cases these upgrades are necessary to meet federal and state clean water mandates.

"We realize that these are challenging economic times, but voters should know that by voting yes on November 4th they will be investing in Pennsylvania's future, creating new jobs, protecting drinking water, and sparing themselves from some of the pain of skyrocketing sewer bills," said Matthew Ehrhart, Executive Director of CBF's Pennsylvania office. "In fact, investments in environmentally sound infrastructure are an ideal form of economic stimulus for a slowing economy."

If voters approve the referendum, eligible projects would include the upgrade, repair, construction or expansion of existing facilities to meet growing populations while also reducing pollutants entering our waterways. Included are sewage treatment facilities, systems that supply, treat, or store drinking water, systems that control storm water, and the control and elimination of combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

"Without state funding, including the $400 million bond referendum, the expenses to upgrade these vital services will be fully passed along to Pennsylvania ratepayers," said Ehrhart. "These new state funds will help our communities begin to address water and sewer upgrade needs."

CBF is part of the PA Fair Share for Clean Water Coalition formed to help communities, ratepayers, and farmers get the help they need to reduce nutrient pollution from wastewater plants, encourage the installation of farm conservation practices throughout Pennsylvania, and preserve economic opportunity for Pennsylvania’s families and businesses.

Without addressing both sources of pollution, Pennsylvania has no chance to meet federal and state clean water mandates.

Specifically, the Coalition supports:

-- Voter approval of the $400 million water infrastructure referendum on the November 4 ballot;

-- 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;

-- $50 million in direct cost share aid to farmers to install conservation practices ($35 million for Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) farm tax credits and $15 million in cost share grants);

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

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

The Coalition includes over 45 farm and conservation groups, businesses, and local government entities, including Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association, Pennsylvania Builders Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts.

For more information, visit the Fair Share for Clean Water website.

NewsClips: Referendum Seeks Water, Sewer Funds

10/24/2008