House overwhelmingly passes first McNerney bill

Congressman Jerry McNerney's first bill sailed through the House of Representatives today.

From a congressional press release:

Today, the Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2007, authored by Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-11) and sponsored by Rep. Ellen Tauscher (CA-10), passed the House by a vote of 369 to 55.

The Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2007 will authorize $125 million in funding for projects that increase usable water supply by encouraging innovation in water reclamation, reuse, and conservation.  The bill provides funding for a grant program that requires a fifty percent local funding match.

“This bill authorizes funds to develop alternative sources of clean drinking water, as well as water for agricultural and industrial purposes,” Rep. McNerney said.  “That’s an important consideration this winter in California with lower than normal rainfall totals and a S ierra snowpack just 65 percent of its normal size – sources that are essential to the state’s water supply.”

“I’m glad that the Congress has finally taken the initiative and passed this legislation.  I have always been a proponent of sound water policies that protect our current supply and create healthy alternatives for future use,” said Rep. Tauscher.  “I’m glad to have leaders like Rep. McNerney among our new Democratic Majority, a majority that allows us to finally pass common-sense legislation protecting our natural resources.”

The Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2007 amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize alternative water source projects.  It will provide a necessary source of funding for ideas like aquifer storage and retrieval as well as membrane filtering technologies that have the potential to greatly increase our ability to use water more effectively and efficiently through a grant program requiring a local funding match.

“I am excited about this act, which encourages innovation through pilot projects to develop water supplies through conservation, management and reclamation.  It also lets local communities decide what type of project works best for them,” Rep. McNerney said.

The Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2007 moved quickly through the legislative process after having first been introduced on January 27, 2007.  The Act was considered by the House ubcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment, and then moved to the full House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, before being considered by the full House this morning.

Stay tuned for more as this develops...

Comments

[Jammie Schletzbaum]

A good start. Although I think the first focus should be the war in Iraq and ending it. Bringing home our troops and stoping this endless war that is totally pointless should be a number one priority in the House and Senate and convincing George Bush to stop going against the American people's wishes, and to end this war. Thank you.

[Mike & Gail Fellman]

Jerry,
We've been with you since the beginning and in fact, helped to "get out the vote" at your office in Dublin on election day. Congratulations in getting your 1st bill passed, as well as being appointed to the brand new House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

[Joseph Holmes]

What a wonderful first bill! We are going to have to make much smarter use of water than we have in the past, and this is a superb way to help insure that. Congratulations!

[Charles Sullivan]

Jerry, I'm proud of what you have accomplished so far, and this is just the beginning of your good work in Congress. I'm proud too that I was part of your 2006 campaign and ready for the next; let's all bear in mind that 2007 is part of 2008 in politics.

Charles Sullivan
San Francisco

[Mike Strimling]

Way 2 go. As you know, I was first a contributor in your 2004 campaign. I hope this Bill and your efforts, however, concentrate on mitigating the massive and unsustainable housing developments in your district (e.g., Dougherty Valley) and how those negatively affect EBMUD and the historic quality of EBMUD's water from the Sierras by forcing it to tap Delta water for the first time. How about requiring developers building new construction in dry areas like your district to collect roof water and wash water into required cisterns for landscape watering?

[larry taylor]

way 2 go jerry-mac