January 24, 2007

NJEIT Meets with Congressman Oberstar to Discuss Water Quality Financing Act of 2007

WASHINGTON, DC - On January 24, Robert A. Briant, Sr., NJEIT chairman, Dennis Hart, NJEIT executive director, and New Jersey Congressman Robert Roe (retired) met with Congressman James Oberstar in Washington, DC to discuss the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007.

The draft bill would restore much of the federal funds cut over the past 3 years. Federal funding for New Jersey 's clean water programs dropped to $36 million in federal fiscal year 2006, from $44 million in 2005 and $54 million in 2004. Since the NJEIT matches its bond funds with zero-percent federal grants, every dollar cut by the federal government reduces funds for future clean water projects by two dollars.

Recent estimates indicate a need for more than $15 billion in funding for wastewater and drinking water projects across New Jersey.

From left to right, Dennis Hart, Executive Director, NJEIT, New Jersey Congressman Robert Roe (retired), Congressman James Oberstar and Robert A. Briant, Sr., NJEIT chairman.