[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6285199,"mediaKeyId","2574458-0efa5058053960ed9d26ef0ac98b7fc2","parentId",2574458,"title","Longtime Hempstead resident Mary Purdy credited with pushing local action after PFAS found in village water","audioSeconds",283,"startMs",4821000,"endMs",5104000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574458-0efa5058053960ed9d26ef0ac98b7fc2&start=4821&end=5104","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574458-0efa5058053960ed9d26ef0ac98b7fc2/thumbnail_4821000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6285199/Longtime-Hempstead-resident-Mary-Purdy-credited-with-pushing-local-action-after-PFAS-found-in-village-water","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285199-481c969ae168fc4e6f0e38465fbe8b7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021705&Signature=CfxqNWMqWFswwqoFVy0IovW5WxrQz1hKE-RQH7VJrNFFPYN1PiOTLYeBE8lvDAUoAo5nLoZ2b~KLLONICHcjKtAdwVTJx28D46MgqsAqddvgGvrX9R~8RPGUDyja1AzXjz2tCzudOlpbUX4jqbtN-lYQPfN1M2d5FLSBoEFqeIXbRTsfLME0hwF5WHOIugAoHIiI90LXWze98DmhJ2lF0SbG1upClk~RWZr~Ig7STUE4f3Oou7EWQ8tWq1bA4VyM4jz8C-zHBrMJPVr5tujkhvlqDfQdRxHq9O9PGlUtRa2mlBk3Vjca6YrahXsoZFsZ5IfZ85QIAtDm68n54Jy5Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure","date","2025-03-12T04:29:02Z","article","Rep. Kathleen Rice Gillen told the subcommittee that Hempstead, New York, residents have confronted legacy contamination and aging infrastructure that required federal support to begin replacing an antiquated water system.

Gillen described Mary Florence Purdy, a lifelong Hempstead resident who gathered signatures and lobbied local officials after residents observed concerning water quality and an apparent rise in cancers. The congresswoman said local and county officials secured about $1,700,000 in federal aid and additional New York state funding toward a new treatment facility, but the project will cost up to about $55,000,000 to complete.

Witnesses at the hearing noted that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $11,700,000,000 for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund nationally, including about $1,000,000,000 targeted to emerging contaminants such as PFAS; however, they said that funding does not fully close local gaps. In Hempstead, Gillen said, the need remains large and additional federal resources are required to fully replace and protect drinking water supplies.

The congresswoman entered a May 2024 article about Hempstead’s water testing into the hearing record and asked agency witnesses for further guidance on how to secure sufficient funding for the larger project.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Water Infrastructure Financing: WIFIA and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund","oneSentenceSummary","Rep. Gillen recounted how constituent Mary Florence Purdy organized residents after testing found high levels of carcinogenic PFAS in Hempstead's water; federal and state aid partly funded a replacement system but total project costs remain far above initial grants.","taxTitle","Transportation and Infrastructure: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1827,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6285203,"Members and witnesses warn proposed EPA cuts could slow water projects and agency processing",4848,1515000,6363000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574458-0efa5058053960ed9d26ef0ac98b7fc2&start=1515&end=6363","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574458-0efa5058053960ed9d26ef0ac98b7fc2/thumbnail_1515000.jpg","/articles/6285203/Members-and-witnesses-warn-proposed-EPA-cuts-could-slow-water-projects-and-agency-processing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285203-d8e0a78f4df569289d95b2384e39e11d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021705&Signature=mfGQNQ0xrIwJ2pQwBKdZiSj0UbGj~W71OhkvOEnDCcm6MnqJMtPVGvRXkcuavvKObCAGbKrC6OOzcmekUeeYXxALV1tR7j~joFZ~hO3pFwXT4kVKiOakeexM9S7UARXE7ksU~ZzJWpU62syf~meStgyUMulSts6-pon62Wx2fmF7VHswlxMJFjzLJVwQSmS4QAyS5qIfHhYWkzrU1qFKb2fKYvmyaE7MZ3PBp15Db4c1SPpONdFNO4m5ap7iPYtuC1rbun0K0Zk0JpsvE-oWZpOLm0cyqjclEUox4-~jO7iv1PrMFBTuGJwKDYfG04cypcv~uud~eqJQAGdfVkMwwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple members of the House subcommittee raised alarm about a reported proposal to cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget by about 65 percent and the potential effect on water infrastructure financing and project delivery.

Ranking Member Wilson said the proposed reductions \"would directly hit the wallets of hardworking American families\" and would jeopardize projects by causing delays, higher costs and potential abandonment. Rep. Jared Garamendi and others warned that staffing and budget reductions at EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers would reduce the agencies’ ability to review applications, manage loans and oversee projects.

Witnesses cautioned that programmatic reforms will have limited value if agency capacity is reduced. Dan Buckley said diminished funding and staff would make it harder to get projects built on time and within budget; Mike Matydich asked for specific follow‑up questions in writing so witnesses could assess what a given budget cut would mean for WIFIA’s loan pipeline.

Committee members requested written analyses from EPA and witnesses describing how reduced agency resources would affect pending and future projects. The subcommittee left the record open for additional material from witnesses and agencies.","Several members and witnesses said a proposed 65% reduction in EPA funding and personnel would hinder the agency’s ability to administer SRF and WIFIA programs and delay or cancel water infrastructure projects nationwide.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6285208,"Witnesses urge WIFIA and SRF tweaks to help small and rural systems access financing",0,3274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574458-0efa5058053960ed9d26ef0ac98b7fc2&start=3274&end=3274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574458-0efa5058053960ed9d26ef0ac98b7fc2/thumbnail_3274000.jpg","/articles/6285208/Witnesses-urge-WIFIA-and-SRF-tweaks-to-help-small-and-rural-systems-access-financing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285208-2e2121c107fdd818350d6f87fad2a3c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021705&Signature=CxJyUAhNrZFL0LzVlAOfjeF~jC2~5-sOoNAvA5esOIiAjkxnkPkwud0Rp1w4iK4Venpxv5VaOfqKEdCYf3-taNs4KizxsXb-5APqk4npqkMCUO6y-iZTyaJRhnjz7dCXPxga2URCmjAJm3VMS0K5wkwEnD3kMjpz6XJ8J6lKWPAnwCHoqryuLaThcPvtI39Zk8jLEtWgorW93kzwBV9lDm-QrqC7A6zWf1hT4skSQvm02qdcT49zj4~DNecv4Q~ILbslcVoOOkoIH4tN9xVmptjWnQINv7A3Eq2Vr4Kmf2QbIoyegrLKvpZ7aITncrzsa~uiZgnBfQneZwjPcxS1dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple witnesses told the subcommittee that WIFIA and SRF can be improved to better reach small and rural utilities. Jeff Walker and others said the WIFIA program often favors larger, sophisticated borrowers because of up‑front costs and matching requirements.

Walker said small systems ‘‘just can't afford’’ the upfront burdens. He noted a nonrefundable WIFIA application fee, consulting costs for EPA participation, and the program’s usual limit of financing up to 49% of a project, which requires borrowers to secure other capital for the remainder. \"It works great for a large, sophisticated community, but it's really not good for small communities,\" Walker said.

Mike Matydich of Jacobs highlighted administrative reforms that have already improved WIFIA: allowing combined project applications, the introduction of master agreements to approve multiple tranches over a multi‑year construction schedule, and post‑award rate renegotiation when market rates drop. Matydich said 11 loan awardees had renegotiated rates, saving an estimated $1,500,000,000 in interest costs.

Matydich and other panelists proposed several specific steps to expand accessibility: subsidized WIFIA interest rates for small systems (for example, a rate linked to two‑thirds of the Treasury rate), expanded preconstruction financing to demonstrate readiness, broader use of WIFIA master agreements and SRF programmatic financing, and increased technical assistance through EPA environmental finance centers or state programs.

Industry witnesses and state SRF representatives also recommended more flexible state roles in prioritizing projects and reducing duplicative mandates. Dan Buckley said grant application requirements are often the most tedious part for small utilities lacking grant writing capacity.

Members asked for follow‑up with concrete proposals; witnesses agreed to provide additional detail in writing.","Panelists recommended wider use of WIFIA master agreements, SRF programmatic financing, subsidized WIFIA rates for small systems, and expanded state technical assistance to reduce application burdens on small and rural utilities.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6285213,"Lummi Nation testifies on wastewater failures and calls for tribal set‑asides and streamlined funding",289,2191000,2480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574458-0efa5058053960ed9d26ef0ac98b7fc2&start=2191&end=2480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574458-0efa5058053960ed9d26ef0ac98b7fc2/thumbnail_2191000.jpg","/articles/6285213/Lummi-Nation-testifies-on-wastewater-failures-and-calls-for-tribal-setasides-and-streamlined-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285213-e93ee7ed8f2564b51e7e2db951b75bc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021705&Signature=e8xmwnNqLkYv6Vi7cPLzwmAND8y8-bjx6ifQjyG6V72g844uD9zkpLcnTdjSlKQrcdLe1Hvm4KWWhZ0xzy9-n5jA6LFJZ5tmvPGvCd-eHwSZxm52aZxNpiw~ahzjmcOI93c1OlV039hHVR~TATZPWPh45flgQJyvYnqaDh3UYjftOino7U8bk6b~ThrmCcYXcJgH-zYP5MFvD04o9XYwdvpij5c1tI9LaZnuhZ6e712MYXmj86DHC32rB4khCeJvio~TuZJ9QSSYBOQp0KHtD7GK~ivZOBG2QcxOu1h9iYebDyHrfqcbP-efa4HM74YMPe0hL-622ADLQW9-pzz32Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tony Hillaire, chairman of the Lummi Nation, told the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee that water is central to Lummi culture and economy and said tribe members and neighboring communities face an ongoing water infrastructure shortfall.

Hillaire described a Gooseberry Point wastewater treatment improvement that took more than six years to assemble funding and nearly three years to construct. He said the total cost was about $18,700,000, with roughly $12,900,000 provided as grants or forgivable loans and the remainder, about $5,700,000, financed through a state revolving fund. \"Fixing this problem was not easy,\" Hillaire testified. \"When pollution or failing infrastructure forces our shellfish beds to close, it doesn't just impact the tribe; it shuts down an economic engine that supports tribal and nontribal fishermen, local businesses, and food supply chains.\"

Hillaire said the Lummi service area includes more than 6,000 residents (Indian and non‑Indian), nine wells, four potable storage sites and three wastewater treatment plants, some components dating to before 1970. He told the committee the tribe has identified about $50,000,000 in federal investment needs and another roughly $46,000,000 in potential projects. He urged Congress to dedicate direct set‑asides for tribal communities and to simplify application and reporting requirements across federal agencies, saying the current system is overly complex and discourages applications.

Rep. John Larson, who introduced Hillaire, noted tribes routinely must engage multiple agencies with different eligibility and reporting standards. Hillaire and members agreed that loans alone are insufficient for many tribal projects and that a mix of grants, forgivable assistance and targeted technical help is often necessary.

The chairman and witnesses agreed to follow up in writing on specific proposals to streamline interagency coordination and on measures to improve tribal access to federal funds.","Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire told the House subcommittee his tribe faces aging systems, saltwater intrusion and multiagency funding hurdles, and asked Congress for direct tribal set‑asides and reduced bureaucratic barriers to access federal water dollars.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":90,"_43":113,"_45":113,"_47":114,"_49":115,"_51":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":118,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":119,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6285217,"House subcommittee hears push to preserve SRF and expand WIFIA while easing requirements for small and tribal communities",1126000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574458-0efa5058053960ed9d26ef0ac98b7fc2&start=1126&end=1126","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574458-0efa5058053960ed9d26ef0ac98b7fc2/thumbnail_1126000.jpg","/articles/6285217/House-subcommittee-hears-push-to-preserve-SRF-and-expand-WIFIA-while-easing-requirements-for-small-and-tribal-communities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285217-0b83f4d97989d27515bf3108e7ec95b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021705&Signature=kQjtBrTPHqXXjb7FqIvvq17F~jjSRI4XtGBGjvDqdHnuNvfxxqy-r-kjQwgr25zr4XGYhCJ7SE7QaZkV5DQBoAi7JeFF417ZwhrKVXmy-iAZAXG5v4bOj206JMWTRzp8yfrXjtuj0JD~p5Mq-vWv8C772PNd~VESGSxNEPPInkKgwXbs94xKYmgz5taLV-Ox6lgxnZvlcpZsSWzgTZQwba75bg4~BEeD3fMM0MI3VMv73NHBzvynPv~~QDFXzIo-H1k7CcWwxyNLw0DMorUALFUXK-EudMxmyWxwI-v7jzoatKj7cMArOm3SMUkzZmt-AB4LEaBqHR4A-p8pJxEV1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Collin's Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee convened a hearing to examine financing options for water infrastructure, focusing on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). Witnesses representing state SRF administrators, tribal leaders, industry groups and engineering firms described financing achievements, remaining gaps, and changes they say would improve access and delivery.

The hearing drew testimony that low‑interest revolving loans remain one of the most effective federal tools for sustaining long‑term investment. Jeff Walker, executive director and administrator of the Texas Water Development Board, told the subcommittee the CWSRF has provided about $172,000,000,000 through nearly 50,000 low‑interest loans and currently holds about $64,000,000,000 in permanently revolving funds. \"Loans are perpetually growing and revolving,\" Walker said, adding that loan repayments create a recurring revenue stream states can reinvest.

But witnesses and members said federal funding levels and program design leave many projects underfunded. Dan Buckley of Garney Construction and the National Utility Contractors Association noted SRF annual appropriations historically lag the need, citing American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that water systems require roughly $1 trillion over 25 years. He said SRF appropriations in recent years have been only in the low billions annually and that earmarks and funding constraints reduce states' ability to address the backlog.

Several witnesses recommended changes to make WIFIA and SRF financing more accessible, especially for small, rural and tribal systems. Walker and others said WIFIA’s current structure favors larger borrowers: the program can require a nonrefundable application fee (witnesses cited a $100,000 fee), a portion of project cost must be financed elsewhere because WIFIA typically covers up to 49%, and smaller systems face higher per‑customer costs. Mike Matydich, global principal for economic and financial services at Jacobs Solutions, urged wider use of WIFIA master agreements and SRF programmatic financing to reduce repetitive application work.

Tribal testimony illustrated challenges in navigating multiple funding streams and agency requirements. Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire described a Gooseberry Point wastewater project that cost about $18,700,000; roughly $12,900,000 came from grants or forgivable loans and about $5,700,000 was financed through the state revolving fund. Hillaire asked Congress for more direct tribal set‑asides and simplified, coordinated application processes across agencies.

Members from both parties pressed witnesses on tradeoffs between loans and grants. Walker argued that revolving loans amplify federal capital through leveraging, while others pushed for additional principal forgiveness or direct grants for low‑income communities. Industry witnesses urged attention to workforce capacity and argued that permitting and reporting burdens increase project costs and delay construction.

Multiple members raised concerns about proposed broad cuts at the Environmental Protection Agency that they said would blunt the agency’s ability to administer SRF and WIFIA programs and to process applications. Ranking Member Nanette Wilson and Rep. Jerry Garamendi, among others, said proposed reductions would undermine water projects nationwide and requested specific follow‑up from EPA officials.

The hearing produced no formal votes. Instead, members and witnesses offered a range of legislative and administrative options — more federal capitalization to SRFs, broader use of WIFIA master agreements, subsidized WIFIA rates for small systems, expanded technical assistance, tribal set‑asides, and scrutiny of earmarks and reporting requirements — as possible next steps to address the nation’s water infrastructure deficit.

Looking ahead, members said Congress must balance fiscal oversight with ensuring stable funding, and several requested written follow‑up from EPA and the witnesses on specific proposals and on the impact of any agency budget cuts.","Witnesses and members at a House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee hearing urged continued funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and broader use of WIFIA loans, while calling for technical assistance, reduced administrative mandates, and targeted tribal set‑asides to speed repairs and lower customer bills.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Longtime Hempstead resident Mary Purdy credited with pushing local action after PFAS found in village water

Members and witnesses warn proposed EPA cuts could slow water projects and agency processing

Witnesses urge WIFIA and SRF tweaks to help small and rural systems access financing

Lummi Nation testifies on wastewater failures and calls for tribal set‑asides and streamlined funding

House subcommittee hears push to preserve SRF and expand WIFIA while easing requirements for small and tribal communities