Newhouse’s bipartisan bill bolsters federal financing for long-term water projects

U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) on Sept. 11 introduced a bipartisan bill that would enhance the ability of America’s water managers and operators to finance long-term projects. 

Rep. Newhouse is an original cosponsor of the WIFIA Improvement Act, H.R. 8217, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA), which would amend the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) of 2014 to make public water projects eligible for low-interest, longer-term federal loans from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

WIFIA established the WIFIA program, a federal credit program administered by the EPA for eligible water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The law and the WIFIA implementation rule outline eligibility and other requirements for prospective borrowers.

“Federal water projects play a significant role in our way of life throughout central Washington,” said Rep. Newhouse. “In our region and across the West, our water infrastructure is aging and in need of repair or maintenance. By improving water managers’ and operators’ ability to finance long-term projects, we can better ensure long-term success for all who rely on this infrastructure for clean water and irrigation in rural communities.”

If enacted, H.R. 8217 would allow water projects with longer useful life cycles to receive federal WIFIA financing for 55-year loan terms instead of the current 35-year loan terms, thereby lowering the capital costs for such projects, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Newhouse’s office. 

Additionally, H.R. 8217 would clarify that WIFIA loans may be used for the repair, replacement, and rehabilitation of transferred works owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, but maintained by local non-federal agencies.

The legislation has received support from the Family Farm Alliance, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Water Resources Association, the American Public Works Association, the Roza Irrigation District in Sunnyside, Wash., and the Kittitas Reclamation District in Ellensburg, Wash.