Volume 161, No. 44 covering the 1st Session of the 114th Congress (2015 - 2016) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Senate section on pages S1530-S1532 on March 16, 2015.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mrs. Boxer, and Mr. Reid):
S. 741. A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program of awarding grants to owners or operators of water systems to increase the resiliency or adaptability of the systems to any ongoing or forecasted changes to the hydrologic conditions of a region of the United States; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to introduce the Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act with colleagues the Democratic Leader and the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The condition of our water infrastructure is in a state of crisis that is only exacerbated by the effects of climate change. The longer we ignore the problem, the more it costs us. The truth is that we are in a crisis that can be averted. There is no need to lose revenue from disrupted business and flooded streets. Our water infrastructure may be buried and out of sight and out of mind; but today we must elevate these systems to the priority level they deserve.
Each year within my home State of Maryland I witness stark reminders of what cities across the nation are facing. In July of last year, Prince George's County, Maryland, experienced a breakdown of its most essential public infrastructure when a water main serving 100,000 people began to fail. Mandatory water restrictions were instituted, limiting access to water for homes and businesses during an intense heat wave that saw the heat index repeatedly reach the triple digits. At the National Harbor, one hotel evacuated three thousand guests and was forced to cancel upcoming reservations. Included in the affected area is Joint Base Andrews, which publicized plans to shut down a long list of services, including appointments at its medical center.
There are incidents like this happening across America. The reports are startling. They confirm what every water utility professional knows: we need massive reinvestment in our water infrastructure now and over the coming decades. The Nation's drinking water infrastructure--
especially the underground pipes that deliver safe drinking water to America's homes and businesses--is aging. Like many of the roads, bridges, and other public assets on which the country relies, most of our buried drinking water infrastructure was built 50 or more years ago, in the post-World War II era of rapid demographic change and economic growth. Some of our systems are even older; in Baltimore, where I live, many of the pipes were installed in the 1800s. Some of these ``pipes'' are wooden. We need investment to deal with changing population needs and changing hydrological conditions. We have no other choice but to elevate it to a public safety priority and to take action now.
The Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act aims to help local communities meet the challenges of upgrading water infrastructure systems to meet the hydrological changes we are seeing today. The bill directs the EPA to establish a Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability program. Grants will be awarded to eligible water systems to make the necessary upgrades. Communities across the country will be able to compete for Federal matching funds, which in turn will help finance projects to help communities overcome these threats.
Improving water conservation, adjustments to current infrastructure systems, and funding programs to stabilize communities' existing water supply are all projects WIRS grants will fund. WIRS will never grant more than 50 percent of any project's cost, ensuring cooperation between local communities and the federal government. The EPA will try to award funds that use new and innovative ideas as often as possible.
It is estimated that by 2020, the forecasted deficit for sustaining water delivery and wastewater treatment infrastructure, will trigger a
$206 billion increase in costs for businesses. In a worst case scenario, a lack of water infrastructure investment will cause the United States to lose nearly 700,000 jobs by 2020.
A healthy water infrastructure system is as important to America's economy as paved roads and sturdy bridges. Water and wastewater investment has been shown to spur economic growth. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has found that for every dollar invested in water infrastructure, the Gross Domestic Product is increased to more than
$6. The Department of Commerce has found that that same dollar yields close to $3 worth of economic output in other industries. Every job created in local water and sewer industries creates close to four jobs elsewhere in the national economy.
We know that a reactive mode causes us to lose billions in revenue in the short-term. Let us instead take a proactive approach, making strategic investments in innovative projects designed to meet the current and future needs of our water systems. That is the purpose of the Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 741
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Hydrologic condition.--The term ``hydrologic condition'' means the quality, quantity, or reliability of the water resources of a region of the United States.
(3) Owner or operator of a water system.--
(A) In general.--The term ``owner or operator of a water system'' means an entity (including a regional, State, tribal, local, municipal, or private entity) that owns or operates a water system.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``owner or operator of a water system'' includes--
(i) a non-Federal entity that has operational responsibilities for a federally, tribally, or State-owned water system; and
(ii) an entity established by an agreement between--
(I) an entity that owns or operates a water system; and
(II) at least 1 other entity.
(4) Water system.--The term ``water system'' means--
(A) a community water system (as defined in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f));
(B) a treatment works (as defined in section 212 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1292)), including a municipal separate storm sewer system (as that term is used in that Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.));
(C) a decentralized wastewater treatment system for domestic sewage;
(D) a groundwater storage and replenishment system;
(E) a system for transport and delivery of water for irrigation or conservation; or
(F) a natural or engineered system that manages floodwater.
SEC. 3. WATER INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY.
(a) Program.--The Administrator shall establish and implement a program, to be known as the ``Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program'', under which the Administrator shall award grants for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019 to owners or operators of water systems for the purpose of increasing the resiliency or adaptability of the water systems to any ongoing or forecasted changes (based on the best available research and data) to the hydrologic conditions of a region of the United States.
(b) Use of Funds.--As a condition on receipt of a grant under this Act, an owner or operator of a water system shall agree to use the grant funds exclusively to assist in the planning, design, construction, implementation, operation, or maintenance of a program or project that meets the purpose described in subsection (a) by--
(1) conserving water or enhancing water use efficiency, including through the use of water metering and electronic sensing and control systems to measure the effectiveness of a water efficiency program;
(2) modifying or relocating existing water system infrastructure made or projected to be significantly impaired by changing hydrologic conditions;
(3) preserving or improving water quality, including through measures to manage, reduce, treat, or reuse municipal stormwater, wastewater, or drinking water;
(4) investigating, designing, or constructing groundwater remediation, recycled water, or desalination facilities or systems to serve existing communities;
(5) enhancing water management by increasing watershed preservation and protection, such as through the use of natural or engineered green infrastructure in the management, conveyance, or treatment of water, wastewater, or stormwater;
(6) enhancing energy efficiency or the use and generation of renewable energy in the management, conveyance, or treatment of water, wastewater, or stormwater;
(7) supporting the adoption and use of advanced water treatment, water supply management (such as reservoir reoperation and water banking), or water demand management technologies, projects, or processes (such as water reuse and recycling, adaptive conservation pricing, and groundwater banking) that maintain or increase water supply or improve water quality;
(8) modifying or replacing existing systems or constructing new systems for existing communities or land that is being used for agricultural production to improve water supply, reliability, storage, or conveyance in a manner that--
(A) promotes conservation or improves the efficiency of use of available water supplies; and
(B) does not further exacerbate stresses on ecosystems or cause redirected impacts by degrading water quality or increasing net greenhouse gas emissions;
(9) supporting practices and projects, such as improved irrigation systems, water banking and other forms of water transactions, groundwater recharge, stormwater capture, groundwater conjunctive use, and reuse or recycling of drainage water, to improve water quality or promote more efficient water use on land that is being used for agricultural production;
(10) reducing flood damage, risk, and vulnerability by--
(A) restoring floodplains, wetland, and upland integral to flood management, protection, prevention, and response;
(B) modifying levees, floodwalls, and other structures through setbacks, notches, gates, removal, or similar means to facilitate reconnection of rivers to floodplains, reduce flood stage height, and reduce damage to properties and populations;
(C) providing for acquisition and easement of flood-prone land and properties in order to reduce damage to property and risk to populations; or
(D) promoting land use planning that prevents future floodplain development;
(11) conducting and completing studies or assessments to project how changing hydrologic conditions may impact the future operations and sustainability of water systems; or
(12) developing and implementing measures to increase the resilience of water systems and regional and hydrological basins, including the Colorado River Basin, to rapid hydrologic change or a natural disaster (such as tsunami, earthquake, flood, or volcanic eruption).
(c) Application.--To seek a grant under this Act, the owner or operator of a water system shall submit to the Administrator an application that--
(1) includes a proposal for the program, strategy, or infrastructure improvement to be planned, designed, constructed, implemented, or maintained by the water system;
(2) provides the best available research or data that demonstrate--
(A) the risk to the water resources or infrastructure of the water system as a result of ongoing or forecasted changes to the hydrologic system of a region, including rising sea levels and changes in precipitation patterns; and
(B) the manner in which the proposed program, strategy, or infrastructure improvement would perform under the anticipated hydrologic conditions;
(3) describes the manner in which the proposed program, strategy, or infrastructure improvement is expected--
(A) to enhance the resiliency of the water system, including source water protection for community water systems, to the anticipated hydrologic conditions; or
(B) to increase efficiency in the use of energy or water of the water system; and
(4) describes the manner in which the proposed program, strategy, or infrastructure improvement is consistent with an applicable State, tribal, or local climate adaptation plan, if any.
(d) Priority.--
(1) Water systems at greatest and most immediate risk.--In selecting grantees under this Act, subject to section 4(b), the Administrator shall give priority to owners or operators of water systems that are, based on the best available research and data, at the greatest and most immediate risk of facing significant negative impacts due to changing hydrologic conditions.
(2) Goals.--In selecting among applicants described in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable, the final list of applications funded for each year includes a substantial number that propose to use innovative approaches to meet 1 or more of the following goals:
(A) Promoting more efficient water use, water conservation, water reuse, or recycling.
(B) Using decentralized, low-impact development technologies and nonstructural approaches, including practices that use, enhance, or mimic the natural hydrological cycle or protect natural flows.
(C) Reducing stormwater runoff or flooding by protecting or enhancing natural ecosystem functions.
(D) Modifying, upgrading, enhancing, or replacing existing water system infrastructure in response to changing hydrologic conditions.
(E) Improving water quality or quantity for agricultural and municipal uses, including through salinity reduction.
(F) Providing multiple benefits, including to water supply enhancement or demand reduction, water quality protection or improvement, increased flood protection, and ecosystem protection or improvement.
(e) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--
(1) Federal share.--The share of the cost of any program, strategy, or infrastructure improvement that is the subject of a grant awarded by the Administrator to the owner or operator of a water system under subsection (a) paid through funds distributed under this Act shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the program, strategy, or infrastructure improvement.
(2) Calculation of non-federal share.--In calculating the non-Federal share of the cost of a program, strategy, or infrastructure improvement proposed by a water system in an application submitted under subsection (c), the Administrator shall--
(A) include the value of any in-kind services that are integral to the completion of the program, strategy, or infrastructure improvement, including reasonable administrative and overhead costs; and
(B) not include any other amount that the water system involved receives from the Federal Government.
(f) Davis-Bacon Compliance.--
(1) In general.--All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors on projects funded directly by or assisted in whole or in part by this Act shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects of a character similar in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of title 40, United States Code (commonly referred to as the ``Davis-Bacon Act'').
(2) Authority.--With respect to the labor standards specified in this subsection, the Secretary of Labor shall have the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40, United States Code.
(g) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 3 years thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report that--
(1) describes the progress in implementing this Act; and
(2) includes information on project applications received and funded annually under this Act.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.
(b) Reduction of Flood Damage, Risk, and Vulnerability.--Of the amount made available to carry out this Act for a fiscal year, not more than 20 percent may be made available to grantees for activities described in subsection (b)(10).
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By Mr. DURBIN:
S. 747. A bill to prioritize funding for an expanded and sustained national investment in basic science research; to the Committee on the Budget.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 747
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``American Innovation Act''.
SEC. 2. CAP ADJUSTMENT.
(a) In General.--Section 251(b)(2) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (C), the following:
``(D) Basic science research.--
``(i) National science foundation.--If a bill or joint resolution making appropriations for a fiscal year is enacted that specifies amounts for the National Science Foundation, then the adjustments for that fiscal year shall be the amount of additional new budget authority provided in that Act for such programs for that fiscal year, but shall not exceed--
``(I) for fiscal year 2016, $397,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(II) for fiscal year 2017, $831,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(III) for fiscal year 2018, $1,275,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(IV) for fiscal year 2019, $1,765,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(V) for fiscal year 2020, $2,290,000,000 in additional new budget authority; and
``(VI) for fiscal year 2021, $2,867,000,000 in additional new budget authority.
``(ii) Department of energy office of science.--If a bill or joint resolution making appropriations for a fiscal year is enacted that specifies amounts for the Office of Science of the Department of Energy, then the adjustments for that fiscal year shall be the amount of additional new budget authority provided in that Act for such programs for that fiscal year, but shall not exceed--
``(I) for fiscal year 2016, $275,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(II) for fiscal year 2017, $566,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(III) for fiscal year 2018, $867,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(IV) for fiscal year 2019, $1,198,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(V) for fiscal year 2020, $1,555,000,000 in additional new budget authority; and
``(VI) for fiscal year 2021, $1,946,000,000 in additional new budget authority.
``(iii) Department of defense science and technology programs.--If a bill or joint resolution making appropriations for a fiscal year is enacted that specifies amounts for the Department of Defense science and technology programs, then the adjustments for that fiscal year shall be the amount of additional new budget authority provided in that Act for such programs for that fiscal year, but shall not exceed--
``(I) for fiscal year 2016, $636,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(II) for fiscal year 2017, $1,309,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(III) for fiscal year 2018, $2,007,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(IV) for fiscal year 2019, $2,773,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(V) for fiscal year 2020, $3,603,000,000 in additional new budget authority; and
``(VI) for fiscal year 2021, $4,512,000,000 in additional new budget authority.
``(iv) National institute of standards and technology scientific and technical research and services.--If a bill or joint resolution making appropriations for a fiscal year is enacted that specifies amounts for the Scientific and Technical Research and Services within the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the Department of Commerce, then the adjustments for that fiscal year shall be the amount of additional new budget authority provided in that Act for such programs for that fiscal year, but shall not exceed--
``(I) for fiscal year 2016, $31,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(II) for fiscal year 2017, $62,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(III) for fiscal year 2018, $96,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(IV) for fiscal year 2019, $132,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(V) for fiscal year 2020, $173,000,000 in additional new budget authority; and
``(VI) for fiscal year 2021, $216,000,000 in additional new budget authority.
``(v) National aeronautics and space administration science directorate.--If a bill or joint resolution making appropriations for a fiscal year is enacted that specifies amounts for the Science Mission Directorate of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, then the adjustments for that fiscal year shall be the amount of additional new budget authority provided in that Act for such program for that fiscal year, but shall not exceed--
``(I) for fiscal year 2016, $267,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(II) for fiscal year 2017, $559,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(III) for fiscal year 2018, $876,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(IV) for fiscal year 2019, $1,222,000,000 in additional new budget authority;
``(V) for fiscal year 2020, $1,598,000,000 in additional new budget authority; and
``(VI) for fiscal year 2021, $2,006,000,000 in additional new budget authority.
``(vi) Definitions.--As used in this subparagraph:
``(I) Additional new budget authority.--The term
`additional new budget authority' means--
``(aa) with respect to the National Science Foundation, the amount provided for a fiscal year, in excess of the amount provided in fiscal year 2015, in an appropriation Act and specified to support the National Science Foundation;
``(bb) with respect to the Department of Energy Office of Science, the amount provided for a fiscal year, in excess of the amount provided in fiscal year 2015, in an appropriation Act and specified to support the Department of Energy Office of Science;
``(cc) with respect to the Department of Defense Science and Technology Programs, the amount provided for a fiscal year, in excess of the amount provided in fiscal year 2015, in an appropriation Act and specified to support the Department of Defense Science and Technology Programs;
``(dd) with respect to the National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientific and Technical Research Services, the amount provided for a fiscal year, in excess of the amount provided in fiscal year 2015, in an appropriation Act and specified to support the National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientific and Technical Research Services; and
``(ee) with respect to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Science Directorate, the amount provided for a fiscal year, in excess of the amount provided in fiscal year 2015, in an appropriation Act and specified to support the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Science Directorate.
``(II) National science foundation.--The term `National Science Foundation' means the appropriations accounts that support the various institutes, offices, and centers that make up the National Science Foundation.
``(III) Department of energy office of science.--The term
`Department of Energy Office of Science' means the appropriations accounts that support the various institutes, offices, and centers that make up the Department of Energy Office of Science.
``(IV) Department of defense science and technology programs.--The term `Department of Defense Science and Technology programs' means the appropriations accounts that support the various institutes, offices, and centers that make up the Department of Defense Science and Technology programs.
``(V) National institute of standards and technology scientific and technical research and services.--The term
`National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientific and Technical Research and Services' means the appropriations accounts that support the various institutes, offices, and centers that make up the National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientific and Technical Research and Services.
``(VI) National aeronautics and space administration science directorate.--The term `National Aeronautics and Space Administration Science Directorate' means the appropriations accounts that support the various institutes, offices, and centers that make up the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Science Directorate.''.
(b) Funding.--There are hereby authorized to be appropriated--
(1) for the National Science Foundation, the amounts provided for under clause (i) of such section 251(b)(2)(D) in each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, and such sums as may be necessary for each subsequent fiscal year;
(2) for the Department of Energy Office of Sciences, the amounts provided for under clause (ii) of such section 251(b)(2)(D) in each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, and such sums as may be necessary for each subsequent fiscal year;
(3) for the Department of Defense Science and Technology programs, the amounts provided for under clause (iii) of such section 251(b)(2)(D) in each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, and such sums as may be necessary for each subsequent fiscal year;
(4) for the National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientific and Technical Research and Services, the amounts provided for under clause (iv) of such section 251(b)(2)(D) in each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, and such sums as may be necessary for each subsequent fiscal year; and
(5) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Science Directorate, the amounts provided for under clause
(iv) of such section 251(b)(2)(D) in each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, and such sums as may be necessary for each subsequent fiscal year.
(c) Minimum Continued Funding Requirement.--Amounts appropriated for each of the programs and agencies described in section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (as added by subsection (a)) for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, and each subsequent fiscal year, shall not be less than the amounts appropriated for such programs and agencies for fiscal year 2015.
(d) Exemption of Certain Appropriations From Sequestration.--
(1) In general.--Section 255(g)(1)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act (2 U.S.C. 905(g)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting after ``Advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and Other Funds (16-0327-0-1-600).'' the following:
``Appropriations under the American Innovation Act.''.
(2) Applicability.--The amendment made by this section shall apply to any sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900 et seq.) on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
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