LANSING – Michigan Republicans and Democrats came together last Wednesday and prioritized using federal dollars to invest in Michigan’s aging water infrastructure.
Senate Bill 565 passed unanimously out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Dec. 1. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jon Bumstead (R-Newaygo) is the committee’s majority vice chair.
The bill, a $3.34 billion budget proposal, would appropriate funds from federal and state governments toward lead prevention, PFAS remediation, sewer upgrades, wetland protections, flood prevention measures and other water infrastructure investments.
The Michigan Environmental Council advocated for significant clean water investments. It played a particularly prominent role in securing $85 million for lead filtration systems for all schools, $1 billion for lead service line replacements, and funding to improve wastewater and storm water infrastructure.
Charlotte Jameson, chief policy officer for the Environmental Council, issued the following statement of support for water infrastructure investment.
“Michiganders have felt the burden of failing water infrastructure this year. Their basements and bank accounts were devastated by summer flooding. They feared for their children’s health when lead was discovered in their drinking water and E.coli contamination shut beaches down. Putting federal and state dollars to work improving our drinking, sewer and storm water infrastructure is a no-brainer. The passage of this bill in committee shows that Michigan Senators understand safe, clean water is of utmost importance to Michiganders. The Environmental Council will continue advocating for sound, strong water investments as the proposal heads to the Senate floor.”
