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Senate OKs Another Part of Fair Share Clean Water Plan, Budget Talks Continue

While there is no state budget settlement yet, the Senate this week unanimously approved Senate Bill 1341 (Musto-D-Luzerne) authorizing a $400 million bond issue voter referendum that includes provisions for funding nutrient reduction projects to help meet federal Clean Water Act mandates.

The bill is part of a package of bills included in the PA Fair Share for Clean Water Plan to help sewer system ratepayers and farmers meet federal and state mandates to reduce nutrient pollution.

Budget talks are ongoing at press time and final decisions have not been made on environmental or other funding. PA Environment Digest will do a special budget issue when the General Assembly and the Governor adopt the budget, hopefully before next Friday.

"This investment in our clean water infrastructure is desperately needed," said Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. "Combined sewer overflows and the lack of funding to fix old water systems pose a major water pollution concern that we must deal with immediately."

"If we do not address this problem now, there will be costly implications on future generations," Sen. Musto said. "I am hopeful that the voters will approve the referendum."

The bills with provisions from the PA Fair Share for Clean Water Plan include:

· Wastewater Plant Funding: Senate Bill 2 (Earll-R-Erie), provides a priority for funding for nutrient reduction projects at wastewater treatment plants and Senate Bill 1341 (Musto-D- Luzerne), authorizes a $400 million bond issue referendum to fund drinking water and wastewater projects, including nutrient reduction projects are now in the House;

· Farmer Support: Senate Bill 1449 (Madigan-R-Bradford) and House Bill 2656 (Hanna-D-Centre) would provide conservation districts with $10 million, increase the REAP farm conservation tax credit to $35 million, establish a new $15 million 50-50 farm conservation practice grant program and restore $10 million cut the Department of Agriculture budget related to farm conservation (these items can also be reflected as line items in the bills needed to pass the state budget);

· Nutrient Credit Trading: Senate Bill 1493, introduced by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland), provides enhancements to the state’s Nutrient Credit Trading program that will drive down the cost of meeting clean water mandates; and

· Entire Fair Share Plan: House Bill 2654, introduced by Rep. Mike Hanna-D-Centre establishing the entire Fair Share for Clean Water Nutrient Reduction Program, farm and wastewater infrastructure and House Bill 2441 (Perry-R-Cumberland).

The PA Fair Share for Clean Water Plan would invest $170 million in 2008-09 in several ways to reduce the financial burden on ratepayers and farms:

· $100 million to help wastewater plants finance required improvements;

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

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

· $10 million to restore cuts to the Department of Agriculture budget in farm programs; and

· Proposes 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.

Over the course of seven years the Fair Share for Clean Water Plan will invest up to $890 million in upgrades to sewage treatment plants and agricultural practices for nutrient reduction efforts for the Chesapeake Bay and cleaning up streams statewide.

Add Your Support

To add your support, you can send an email or fax from the PA Fair Share for Clean Water Plan website to your House and Senate member and to Gov. Rendell.

NewsClips: Budget Talks Drag Toward Deadline

Williamsport: Bay Cleanup to Cost $140 Million

Williamsport Residents Can Prepare for Sewer Rate Hikes

Funding for Public Works Could Add Jobs

Budget Might Include Water, Sewer Projects

Editorial: Sewer Upgrades Need Financial Help

Editorial: Bay Cleanup Costs Too Great, Voices Too Quiet

Editorial: Spread the Costs of Clean Water

Links: Coalition Proposes Fair Share Clean Water Funding Plan, Original Announcement

16,000 Miles of Polluted Streams Add Urgency to Call for Clean Water Funding

CBF, Other Groups Ask State to Be a Partner in Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Plan

40,000 More Acres of Corn, Soybeans Increase Conservation Needs