March 9, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Earlier today Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand voted to pass the bipartisan Water Quality Investment Act (H.R. 569). This legislation will protect lives, preserve the environment, and help cities and states pay for modernizing their aging sewer infrastructure by authorizing $1.8 billion over the next five years for grants to prevent dangerous sewer failures-- which create a significant public health hazard in communities across the country.

In urging colleagues to support the bill Gillibrand said, "Upstate New York is on the verge of a great economic revival, but in order to take that next step, we must address our major water concerns. To attract and keep businesses in our towns we need the infrastructure to support them."

The legislation has the potential to benefit at least eleven communities in the Congresswoman’s district including: Catskill, Coxsackie, Corinth, Hudson, Mechanicville, Saratoga Springs, South Glens Falls, Ticonderoga, the Village of Ballston Spa, the Village of Schuylerville and the Village of Stillwater.

Gillibrand, added, "The Water Quality Investment Act doesn’t only make sense from an economic standpoint – but it is vitally important from an environmental standpoint as well."

Congresswoman Gillibrand also took the opportunity to make the case for increased federal infrastructure investment to benefit rural communities.

Today’s House passage of the bill was particularly significant due to the fact that during the last two Congresses, a very similar bill was reported from committee but the former leadership failed to bring it to the House Floor.

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