Sam Graves: EPA permit cycle results in ‘insurmountable debt’

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to re-evaluate its water and wastewater plant permit process in an effort to decrease “insurmountable debt” and undue costs for municipalities.

During a visit to his home district in Missouri, Graves said he was made aware of the financial stress caused by the EPA’s permit cycle under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program. The agency requires local governments to apply for permits every five years, but finances the cost of the permits with bonds over a 20-year period.

“By having a permit process in place that does not match the financing for them, residents of these areas face higher costs,” Graves said.

Graves, chairman of the House Small Business Committee, sent a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy asking her to re-evaluate the timing of the permits.

“Allowing for a 20-year permitting cycle prevents cities … from being burdened by insurmountable debt as they do the important work of improving our water quality,” Graves said.