FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2011

Contact:
Dan Weber/Ben Gerdes (Edwards) - (202) 225-8699
Sam Drzymala (Carnahan) – (202) 226-4661
Marissa Padilla/Amber McDowell (Udall) - 202-228-6870


Washington, DC – Representatives Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) and Russ Carnahan (MO-3) joined Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) today to introduce bicameral legislation to promote green infrastructure designed to address stormwater management in a way that enhances the natural environment and is economically cost-effective. The Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2011 would establish up to five Centers of Excellence charged with conducting research on green infrastructure that is relevant to the geographic region in which the center is located, and provide communities with training and technical assistance on how to implement green infrastructure best management practices.  The legislation would also provide funding to help communities develop green infrastructure technologies.

Representative Edwards

“Green infrastructure can reduce our energy consumption, create good jobs and promote environmental stewardship and long-term economic development. But more must be done to learn the best practices and incentivize future projects. The regional centers established in this legislation will work with our communities to ensure that projects effectively manage stormwater flow and improve water quality, bringing us closer to a clean-energy economy and improving our outdated water infrastructure. I am proud to be joined by Congressman Carnahan and Senator Udall to introduce this important legislation.”

Representative Carnahan

“The recent storms and flooding in Missouri and across the Midwest and Southern United States provide all the proof you need that we need to act now to enhance our stormwater systems for the future. We have the know-how to make the kinds of cost-effective improvements to our stormwater management infrastructure that our communities clearly need.  This legislation would put that knowledge to good use.  I’m thrilled to work with Rep. Edwards and Senator Udall on this issue, and I applaud their hard work.”

Senator Udall

“Water quality is an issue facing states across the country, but it is particularly urgent in the arid southwest and my home state of New Mexico, where extreme droughts are becoming the norm. By promoting greener design of stormwater infrastructure, we can create jobs, save on construction costs and increase groundwater re-charge that will enhance our water resources."

Andrew Fahlund, Senior Vice President of Conservation at American Rivers

“By increasing research and development of innovative green infrastructure techniques, promoting the consistent use of green infrastructure within the Environmental Protection Agency, and providing incentive funding to communities to plan, develop, and install green infrastructure technologies, this bill will help revitalize communities nationwide. We applaud Representative Edwards for her leadership in this area.”
ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville

“Green infrastructure techniques like green roofs, permeable pavers and rain gardens can provide a cost-effective alternative to installing and repairing traditional grey infrastructure like pipes and sewers,” said ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA. “This cutting edge, living technology approach utilizes our natural systems of trees, plants and soil to clean and manage stormwater runoff.  Our members have seen the benefits of green infrastructure in communities across the country, and the American Society of Landscape Architects applauds Representative Donna Edwards for introducing the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act.”

Current Cosponsors of the Clean Water Act of 2011 (15):  Russ Carnahan (MO-3), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-5), Raul Grijalva (AZ-7), Mazie Hirono (HI-2), Rush Holt (NJ-12), Barbara Lee (CA-9), James McGovern (MA-3), Gwen Moore (WI-4), Jim Moran (VA-8), Chellie Pingree (ME-1), David Price (NC-4), Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), Pete Stark (CA-13), Paul Tonko (NY-21), Chris Van Hollen (MD-8)
The Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2011 is supported by: American Public Works Association, American Rivers, American Society of Landscape Architects, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Clean Water Action, Low Impact Development Center, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Natural Resources Defense Council, River Network, and the Water Environment Federation.

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