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In
a letter sent to Biden, the governors lauded the American Rescue
Plan Act’s $360 billion in direct aid to state and local
governments that can be spent on water and sewer infrastructure.
“As your administration continues to develop and pursue its
policy agenda, we respectfully encourage you to continue your
emphasis on modernizing America’s water infrastructure,”
readsthe letter.
The letter was signed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Wisconsin
Gov. Tony Evers, all Democrats.
“As gateways to and guardians of the Great Lakes, we are all
dedicated to modernizing and building resilient,
climate-conscious water infrastructure,” Whitmer said in a
statement. “The health of our families, 21% of the world’s fresh
drinking water, and 51 million jobs depend on our immediate,
collective action. We ask for your partnership and
prioritization of critical water infrastructure going forward.
We are grateful for the American Rescue Plan’s significant aid
to our communities and await the bold infrastructure elements
laid out in the Build Back Better plan and proposed in the
President’s budget.”
The letter outlines challenges of maintaining old water
treatment and management systems across the Great Lakes states
including dam failures, the Flint Water Crisis, and more.
The governors claimed more than $2 trillion in national water
infrastructure work will be needed in the next 20 years.
“It is time to think big” to meet the Biden’s challenge to
“build back better”, the letter concludes. “We would appreciate
the opportunity to discuss with you and your team the scale,
scope, and contours of a major water infrastructure initiative
that would exemplify your commitment.”
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