Reed looks to boost U.S. infrastructure

PROVIDENCE – U.S. Sen. Jack Reed is seeking to boost federal investments in upgrading the water and wastewater infrastructure, funds that would have a direct impact on Rhode Island.
Reed is the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior & Environment and has championed efforts to fund the clean water and drinking water state revolving funds. Under Reed’s 2014 Interior Appropriations bill, Rhode Island would receive $9.53 million through the R.I. Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $8.87 million through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
Nationwide, Reed included $2.36 billion for state revolving funds in the chairman’s mark of the fiscal 2014 Interior Appropriations bill, which was released last week. Reed provided $1.76 billion more in the Senate bill than the version approved by House appropriators ($600 million). The Senate bill also provides $460 million more for SRFs than what President Barack Obama proposed in his budget ($1.9 billion).
According to a news release, from 2000 to 2012, Reed has helped secure $107.2 million for Rhode Island in Clean Water State Revolving Funds and more than $117 million for Rhode Island in Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. •