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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Camille "Bud" George |
  
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Hearing seeks public input on water infrastructure solutions
HARRISBURG, May 16 – State Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-74 of Clearfield County, said a public hearing will be held Thursday, May 22, in DuBois, to elicit input on how Pennsylvania can best tackle problems with its aging water infrastructure.
"Pennsylvania’s infrastructure needs – what it requires to adequately address drinking water, waste water and storm water concerns – has been conservatively pegged at $22 billion," Rep. George said. "The Commonwealth wants input from citizens, business owners and local government officials because water infrastructure is critical to our health and economic and environmental well-being."
The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Clarion Hotel DuBois, 1896 Rich Highway. Anyone interested in testifying should register in advance by e-mailing RA-sitaskforce@state.pa.us. Testimony will be accepted in person or by e-mail.
The two-hour hearing in DuBois is one of seven being held statewide by the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force. Rep. George, who was named to the 30-member task force in February by Gov. Edward G. Rendell, will chair the DuBois hearing.
The task force is charged with delivering a report by Oct. 1 that provides recommendations and financing options to support water-related services in Pennsylvania.
"Pennsylvania has a $22 billion shortfall yet has seen its federal funding cut in half for the vital Pennvest – Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority – program," Rep. George said. "Obviously, we need solutions, impetus and a massive brain storm."
Rep. George said the Clearfield County region has much to contribute to the hearing.
"Our region is at the headwaters of many watersheds, many of which have been damaged by abandoned-mine drainage," he said. "We also have well-documented needs for water infrastructure crucial for human health and economic development."
Among the questions to be explored is how to factor affordability into funding schemes.
"We need higher household incomes, but to achieve that we need economic development, which, in turn, needs adequate and safe water supplies," Rep. George said. "You can’t get water from a stone, and some of our communities simply cannot afford what is so dearly needed."
The sessions also will discuss how to improve delivery of water services, new technologies and non-structural alternatives to improving water quality, regionalization and how best to encourage cost-effective sizing of water systems.
"The questions are many, the money scarce and the challenges daunting," Rep. George said. "However, the answers developed through these task force hearings will affect Pennsylvanians for generations to come."
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CONTACT: Matthew Maciorkoski |