The Clean Water Construction Coalition (CWCC), chaired by Bob Briant of the Utility and Transportation Contractors Association, recently conducted a Washington, D.C., luncheon reception that recognized the construction infrastructure efforts of Congressman James Oberstar and U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. Oberstar, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, recently sponsored legislation that will fund $13.8 billion in wastewater construction and $1.8 billion in combined sewer overflow improvements over the next five years. Oberstar thanked the coalition for its support for his legislation during his appearance at the event.

Jackson has supported the federal Wastewater and Drinking Water SRF construction programs throughout her career with EPA. She supports increased federal funding for this infrastructure construction program and spoke at the reception about President Obama’s plan to increase funding for these programs in the new federal fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1, 2009.

The CWCC includes 26 construction associations from throughout the country that was created three years ago to promote federal funding for these infrastructure programs. This group works closely with leaders of the Congress in matters dealing with wastewater and drinking water construction nationwide.